Rain prompts Twenty20 extension

Worcestershire have had to move games because of flooding

The England and Wales Cricket Board has agreed to extend the hours of play for Twenty20 Cup games because of the persistent rain across the country.

Nine matches have been washed out or abandoned because of bad weather.

And a temporary regulation permitting up to one hour's extra play has been approved at an emergency ECB meeting.

"Everyone is mindful that Twenty20 is people's cricket and is the season centre-piece for domestic supporters," said chief executive David Collier.

"Counties and the ECB are working in partnership to seek to maximise play and also maintain the credibility of this important competition."

He added: "The positive and constructive views expressed to combat these exceptional weather conditions is a credit to all counties."

Officials attending the meeting decided it was not feasible to rearrange the schedule to allow reserve days for matches.

But this proposal will be considered for future years as part of the ongoing Domestic Structure Review.

The ECB, meanwhile, is to organise a special seminar on crowd management after bad behaviour by spectators at some recent games.

Most notable was a game between Middlesex and Hampshire at Southgate when objects were thrown at the Hampshire coach and valuables stolen from the home team's dressing room.

An ECB statement said instances of unruly behaviour were "infrequent" but the board and counties wished "proactively" to ensure it did not "creep into the game".