Rhodes backs new County Championship points system

Rhodes' side are back in Division Two of the County Championship

Worcestershire coach Steve Rhodes has backed the latest change to the points system in County Championship cricket.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has approved an increase in points for a win next season from 14 to 16.

And, with only three points now available for a draw instead of four, the game's authorities hope that it will encourage more attacking cricket.

"I'm in favour of what they've done. I always believe fortune should favour the brave," Rhodes told BBC Sport.

"Look at a captain like Shane Warne. He was never frightened of trying things.

"He was always prepared to gamble to try to win.

"And, having a three-point swing in the difference between a win and a draw should hopefully have a positive effect.

With the benefit of hindsight, I do wonder if at times we were a bit negative

Steve Rhodes on Worcestershire's ill-fated 2009 County Championship campaign

"Sport should be all about playing to win, not trying not to lose.

"You don't go out to play tennis or golf trying just not to lose, so why should you in cricket?

"I appreciate that, in football, teams sometimes do go out just looking to avoid defeat, but then maybe they could benefit from a change to the points system too."

The game came under fire last summer for too many counties showing too negative an approach to their Championship cricket.

County champions Durham won eight of their 16 matches, but the next best after that were Lancashire and Nottinghamshire with four wins apiece.

And Rhodes' injury-ravaged Worcestershire side did not manage any victories in their 16 games - causing their third relegation back to Division Two in five years.

"You can look at all the injuries we had to our fast bowlers," he admitted. "But, with the benefit of hindsight, I do wonder if at times we were a bit negative too."

In a further bid to tempt teams into scoring their runs more quickly and setting up more winning opportunities, the ECB has also tweaked the bonus points system.

606: DEBATE

I think its a step in right direction but would have liked to see bonus points a bit harder to get

kenningtonken

Points will now only be available in the first 110 overs of each first innings, rather than 120 - and use of the heavy roller will be banned after a match commences.

But the essential difference in 2010 will be the greater reward for winning a game.

"There could have been an argument for doing away with bonus points altogether and just having points for a win, like they do a lot in the leagues," added Rhodes.

"That would have made things interesting.

"And there is the slight danger that counties might now move more towards preparing results wickets. But that's something the ECB keeps a close monitor on.

"And, as far as I'm concerned, the new points system can only be good for the game.

"In most previous seasons since two-division cricket came in 10 years ago, teams in the second division have been more prepared to gamble.

"Maybe that will change now. And that can only be a good thing."