Derbyshire will start to play on their new north/south facing pitch next season after the club said work to turn the square was ahead of schedule.

Derbyshire are turning the square at the County Ground through 90 degrees to prevent problems of sun stopping play.

The new pitches were not expected to be used until the summer of 2011.

But they have played well during recent practice sessions and Derbyshire now intend to play all cricket on the new pitches in 2010.

Dazzling evening sunshine stopped play for the first time in June 2006 and several games were affected in 2007.

A selection of the old pitches will be kept intact as a contingency plan should there be any unforeseen problems.

Chief executive Keith Loring said: "The pitches maturing quickly enough for us to switch direction as early as next season is a huge bonus, especially bearing in mind the recently announced development to our seating."

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