England's counties have agreed in principle to extend the number of central contracts to 20, after a meeting of the First Class Forum in Nottingham.

The FCF agreed to a proposal to extend the number from 11 to 20 from September 1, provided a financial system can be worked out.

All but two members of the FCF, which comprises the 18 first-class counties and the MCC, voted in favour of the proposal, which will enable those contracted players to become full-time employees of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Counties will retain the registration of those players, and will have to pay when they turn out at domestic level. A capping system will be agreed to limit the amount of money counties pay back to the ECB.

Speaking to the FCF today, ECB chairman Lord MacLaurin said: "I hope we can start putting our finances on a firmer footing as from next year as a result of the substantial increase in TV broadcasting revenue that we're due to receive in 2003 together with a significant payment from the ICC for participating in the 2003 World Cup."

If ratified, today's agreement will move England towards the Australian and South African system of 25 contracted players.

The FCF also agreed an increase in overseas players at each county from one to two, to allow for the loss of their England players.

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