By Jon Steer
May 19 2005

The first class forum have voted in favour of a morion to reduce the number of promotion and relegation slots in the championship and one day leagues to two. This change makes the good start made by Durham this season all the more important. With this season being the last to see three sides promoted from the second division it will be Durham's best chance of getting to the top flight and will also increase the chances of staying up in the future. Of course if the results keep going the way they are now no help will be needed!

In addition to the two up two down in next seasons one day league there will also be a play off between the third placed team in the second division and the seventh place team in the first division. The winner to take or keep the first division place.

The motion to change the system was brought by Kent, who along with Surrey are the only two teams never to have been relegated from the first division of the county championship. The motion got the required two thirds majority in a vote on tuesday.