[themaclad]

In light of the shortened fixture list, eight points will be awarded for drawn matches, up from the current five points, while all other scoring remains unchanged.

In a bid to reduce injury risk, there will be a minimum of 90 overs of play each day, down from 96.

First innings can last no more than 120 overs per side, while the follow-on has been increased from 150 to 200 runs.

The new ball will be available after 90 overs, 10 overs later than normal.

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Men's opening fixtures (all 1 August):
Central group: Gloucestershire v Worcestershire (Bristol); Somerset v Glamorgan (Taunton); Warwickshire v Northamptonshire (Edgbaston)

North group: Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire (Trent Bridge); Durham v Yorkshire (Chester-le-Street); Leicestershire v Lancashire (venue tbc)

South group: Essex v Kent (Chelmsford): Surrey v Middlesex (The Oval); Sussex v Hampshire (Hove)