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Despite a groundswell of support for expanding the Shell Trophy first-class cricket competition, it will remain at just one complete round with even a final still uncertain.

While major associations and New Zealand Cricket were keen to enlarge the trophy series, it is financially impractical at present, said NZC's operations manager John Reid.

Reid said it would cost $1.8 million for a double round of home and away fixtures which the game could not afford.

At present holding a final is unsure until the season's programme has been confirmed. It was intended to have a final at the end of the season but Australia wants more rest days in between one-day internationals against New Zealand which is spacing the season out.

``If we can't give the Shell Trophy final its own profile then we question the worth of staging it,'' Reid said.

Last season the trophy final between Central Districts and Otago took second-class status when staged alongside the New Zealand-South Africa one-dayers.

Reid said he was now contacting executive directors of associations about the viability of a trophy final or whether a winner should be found from the round-robin.

Meanwhile, the early- season domestic programme is in place with a modified version of Conference cricket continuing. North and South teams will play a series along with England A.

With the top 15 players away with the New Zealand team touring India from late September to late November, Reid said the programme would cater for the next 24.

``Last season it was right with four teams in the Conference series when the New Zealand players were at home during that period.''

England A will also play two five-day tests and three one-day internationals against New Zealand A, providing more intensive match play for aspiring Black Caps.

``The top 28-30 players will get some 10 first-class games against good quality opposition while the next tier will get five games from the trophy series,'' Reid said.

Funding for the sport was not just about the top level players but covered all areas of the game through to club and districts levels, Reid said.

Reid confirmed that this season's Shell Cup would be played under a different play-off format with only one semi-final between second and third.

The winner would then play the top qualifier in a best-of-three home-and-away series.

While the New Zealand season dates are still held up, NZC has yet to be informed of venues for the Indian itinerary.

``We still want to look closely at the venues because India is such a big country and travel can be a telling factor in between games.''

The 15-man team to tour India will be named on August 31.