 | This move will benefit players and spectators alike |
The England and Wales Cricket Board has bowed to pressure from senior figures in the game to add an extra knockout round to the 50-over competition. Many complained to BBC Sport that the format led to meaningless matches for teams that had no hope of reaching the one-off final from the two groups.
As a result, the competition will include a semi-final in 2007.
ECB deputy chief executive Hugh Morris said: "There were extremely strong cricketing reasons for doing this."
The competition will also need a new sponsor in 2007, with C&G's contract expiring at the end of this season.
Morris said: "The introduction of semi-finals will increase the intensity of the competition during the popular regional group stages. This move will benefit players and spectators alike."
This year's C&G Trophy Final will take place at Lord's on Saturday August 26. Sussex are through to face Durham or Lancashire.
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