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English cricket pledged L1 million yesterday to finance central contracts for an international squad next year, though the identity of the recipients will not be confirmed until next spring.

The First Class Forum, representing the counties' interests, agreed the England Cricket Board should take control of nominated players, with suitable compensation to clubs for the loss of their services. The harder decision, which 16 or so players to choose, is likely to be taken in February after the end of this winter's tour to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

England's calamitous showing in the Test series against New Zealand put the selectors in such a quandary over the weekend that they decided yesterday to delay announcing the two tour parties until next Tuesday. England A are scheduled to visit Bangladesh and New Zealand.

David Graveney, chairman of selectors, conceded that they needed longer to consider their options. The England central contracts, which will ensure selectors can keep a tight grip on each player's fitness and cricket schedule, are expected to run for six months from March, though the counties recognised the needfor a nucleus of players to be contracted for 12 months.

Tim Lamb, the ECB's chief executive, said the mood of the First Class Forum meeting was ``unequivocally in favour of change''. He said: ``We believe the introduction of central contracts is essential if England are to develop a squad of international players capable of performing well consistently.''

(R) Bristol, Canterbury and Chester-le-Street have been added to the usual Test venues to host next summer's 10-match one-day triangular tournament between England, West Indies and Zimbabwe.