Changes are inevitable - Newton

Newton believes four-day Test matches could be good for cricket

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton believes changes to the domestic cricket structure are inevitable to fit in with the growth of Twenty20.

The County Championship may be cut back to accommodate more 20-over matches.

Newton told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "We have found out how popular Twenty20 is when played by the superstars.

"It is changing phenomenally quickly and the counties that react best to these changes will undoubtedly win titles in the future."

Newton also feels that the creation of a P20 league next season will lead to a shift in emphasis when it comes to recruiting overseas players.

Each league in the new-look Twenty20 tournament will comprise of nine teams, with three sides being promoted and relegated.

The P20 will also determine qualification for the Champions League, involving club sides around the world, and each county will be allowed up to four overseas players.

Newton feels this could lead to counties prioritising this competition when it comes to budgeting for the season.

"I think some counties are questioning whether to have an overseas player at all," he added.

"Or maybe they are going to wait next year until the P20 comes around when you are allowed to have four.

"Maybe they will save their coppers and then look for really high-quality players for the P20 competition, but not for the whole season.

"I am not saying that is the way we are going to go because that is not my decision, but that is the way things are beginning to look in cricket."

I think some counties are questioning whether to have an overseas player at all

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton

The ICC is considering playing day/night Test matches, and reducing the length from five to four days.

Newton knows that change will always be greeted by suspicion by traditionalists.

He added: "I do like the idea of Test match cricket becoming four-day cricket if it creates better intensity and more momentum in the day's cricket.

"So rather then 280-5 we end up at 400 all out as happened at Edgbaston in 2005, which was one of the best day's cricket ever - that is only going to help us make cricket more attractive."