Players can now expect a 2011 schedule that roughly mirrors 2010

A working group seeking to end an impasse on the county structure for 2011 has recommended that no major fixture cull should be made until 2012.

The England and Wales Cricket Board put out a statement suggesting a consensus to reduce the players' burden.

It stated domestic cricket should be reduced by eight to 12 days per season to enable "a coherent and balanced domestic schedule to be delivered."

But it said the programme for next summer would be "similar to 2010".

The working party is chaired by ECB chief executive David Collier and includes representatives from the Professional Cricketers' Association, an un-named player, Sussex chief executive Dave Brooks, Somerset chairman Andy Nash and Glamorgan chief executive Alan Hamer.

It was formed after the ECB's management board was unable to agree on a schedule ahead of the initial deadline on 30 September because of disagreement at county level. They are now working to a new deadline of 17 November.

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The working group has recommended the CB40 competition should include quarter-finals from 2012 and that the competition should be played in four pools of five teams, rather than three of seven.

It noted that following the 2011 World Cup the format of one-day internationals will be reviewed and recommended that the format of the CB40 competition "should mirror the international format".

The ECB statement added: "The group noted that many counties have already entered into commitments to playing staffs and other expenditure for 2011 and that cash flow from membership and ticket sales are vitally important in the current difficult economic climate for the 2011 season.

"The group are of the opinion that a solution to the reduction in the number of days of domestic cricket must be sustainable for at least the 2012 , 2013 and 2014 seasons and therefore recommended that in order to complete a robust process that the fixture programme for 2011 be similar to 2010."

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