Colchester and East Essex have withdrawn from the Jaygate Home Two Counties Cricket Championship.

The decision was forced on the Castle Park-based club because they want to remain members of the Shepherd Neame Essex League.

Guidelines from the English Cricket Board mean clubs will not be allowed to compete in two different feeder leagues under the new pyramid structure.

Colchester had hoped to play their second eleven in the Two Counties competition, but this was also not allowed under the new regulations.

However, there was no objection from members at last night's annual meeting in Ipswich to Colchester joining the Two Counties' Sunday Challenge.

They will be one of 24 clubs taking part in the competition which will be launched next season.

Braintree, Frinton, Maldon, Mistley and Wivenhoe will be playing longer matches next season.

A proposal for matches in division one to be played over 100 overs - 50 per side - was carried by 14 votes to 7 with 20 abstensions. Matches in all other divisions will be played over 90 overs.

It was also agreed that clubs must abide by the directive issued by the ECB regarding restrictions on fast bowling by young players.

ECB spokesman Frank Kemp said clubs risked losing their best youngsters to injury if they did not heed the directive.

"We don't need heroes aged 17 when we'd rather have successful bowlers from the age of 25 to 30," he said, citing the example of Middlesex's Richard Johnson, who blamed over-bowling in his early career for his later breakdown at First Class level.

Cavendish Wanderers, the result of a merger two years ago between former Two Counties club Cavendish and Sudbury Wanderers, were admitted to the league and will play in division seven.

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