New Zealand Cricket has dropped the best of three finals system from the national one-day competition.

The system had been in place for two years and last year took all three games to decide the winner after Central Districts won the last two games, away from home, to win the title.

This year, the State Shield, will be played in January.

Instead of starting in the immediate post-Christmas period, the Shield will start on January 2 and the final will be played on February 2. Nine round robin matches plus the semi-final and final will be telecast live by Sky Television.

Between Christmas and New Year a four-day round of games for the State Championship will be played.

The first-class competition will start on November 26 and it will continue with the last round ending on March 27.

That will provide much-needed playing back-up in the event of injuries occurring to front-line international players during the home series against England.

The pre-season five rounds of matches between the neighbouring associations in the Max competition has been replaced by a single State Max weekend at North Harbour Stadium from Friday, November 16 to Sunday, November 18. Four of the weekend's games will be screened by Sky Television.

North Harbour Stadium is one of two new venues on the roster this year. Also making its debut appearance will be the Events Centre in Queenstown where Otago will host Wellington in the first round of the State Shield. Also returning to the domestic fold will be Smallbone Park in Rotorua.

The State League for women will begin on Saturday, January 13 with the final being played on February 10.

© CricInfo