Leatherdale joined Worcestershire as a player in 1987

Worcestershire chief executive David Leatherdale says the New Road club are opposed to changing the County Championship structure.

The England and Wales Cricket Board is looking at proposals to have only eight teams in Division One.

But he told BBC Hereford and Worcester: "At the end of last season, in both first and second divisions, three teams could have been promoted or relegated.

"That was right down to 5pm or 6pm on the last day of the season."

He added: "We are breeding people to play Test cricket and that's what the county aim is.

"Yes we want success on the back of it, but we would like the Championship to stay as it is. That may mean sacrifices in other areas, and a financial sacrifice. And it may well mean that 16 Twenty20 games are too many.

"We do need to cut the amount of cricket the guys play by four to six days, which does not sound much. But it's a day every month the guys can have a breather, and it does make a difference."

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