THE England and Wales Cricket Board yesterday released the rules and regulations for the 2010 domestic season and, in so doing, announced the formulation of a working group which will evaluate the points system in the LV County Championship.

There have been criticisms in recent seasons that the current system places too much emphasis on the collection of bonus points rather than victories, leading to too many draws in first-class cricket.

Now a working group has been established that will assess the current system and report its findings to the ECB next month.

Other notable points include the decision to trial a two innings one-day format in the Second XI Trophy, something that is likely to be watched with significant interest by those who have called for wholesale change to the ODI format following the inception of Twenty20.

The precise format of the two innings experiment have yet to be confirmed.

Additionally, the ongoing and vexed question of Kolpak players looks set to get another airing after the ECB confirmed: “A review of the issues relating to the registration and movement of cricketers is currently under way with a working group presenting findings to the December board meeting.”

The release also confirmed that in situations where extreme wind was forecast in floodlit fixtures and lighting rigs were unlikely to be safe, play would be reduced, with both sides being given equal time batting in natural light.

The playing regulations for the new ECB 40-overs league were also unveiled, with eight overs of powerplay at the start of each innings and two additional blocks of four overs available during the rest of the game.

Glamorgan’s two-point penalty from the 2009 Friends Provident Trophy has been carried forward to the new 40- over competition.

■ The International Cricket Council have received notification of Ireland’s intention to apply for full member status.

Ireland, currently an ICC associate member but with one-day international status, are pushing to join the game’s elite group of ten countries in the hope of playing Test cricket.

Ireland have made considerable progress on and off the field in recent years – the highlight being qualification for the last eight of the 2007 World Cup.

Bangladesh were the last country to be elevated in 2000 – three years after first submitting their application, while a Kenyan bid failed after four years.