ECB reveal county cash boost

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The announcement marks a decisive move by the game's powerbrokers to use the rise of Twenty20 cricket to benefit the game at large.

David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said: "The ECB board strongly believe that it was important to increase the prize fund available to all competitions on the back of the rise of the opportunities provided by Twenty20 cricket and we were particularly anxious to increase the money that was available for the winners of the LV County Championship to £500,000."

He added: "This reflects the ECB's commitment to the LV County Championship and the npower Test Matches as the pinnacle of the game."

While nearly all of the major influx of new cash has been devoted to developing, and rewarding success in, the shortest form of the game, there have been serious and sustained concerns that first-class and Test cricket would see their importance devalued.

But by diverting some of the new wealth from the Twenty20 explosion to incentivise the longer format, the ECB have shown a significant financial commitment to four-day cricket.

As such, the most eye-catching figure in the new deal is the sum on offer to next season's LV County Championship winners, who could pocket £500,000 compared to the £100,000 received by Durham this year.

In what may be seen as an attempt to keep pace with developments such as the Indian Premier League, the forthcoming Stanford Super Series and the inaugural Champions League competition, the ECB will award the winning county's playing staff £350,000, with an additional £150,000 being paid to the club itself.

The total amount of cash paid to counties will rise to £1.06million and the runners-up next summer will also cash in with their prize pot up to £225,000 from just £40,000.

There will also be significant increases in prize money for the Pro40 champions and the winners of the Friends Provident Trophy.