County Cricket Clubs Forum

Hampshire have agreed to join Rajasthan Royals’ ambitious global franchise and have been included in plans for a Twenty20 tournament ‘festival’ that would add games to their fixture list this summer.

The ECB has confirmed that Mark Benson has been offered a first-class umpire contract for the 2010 domestic season. He will return to the county game after a four-year spell at international level.

Sussex off-spinner Ollie Rayner will take part in Zimbabwe’s domestic Twenty20 competition with Mid-West Rhinos to gain limited-overs experience.

Leicestershire have recorded a small profit of £689 for the financial year ending September 2009, the first year they have been in the black since 2003.

England batsman Ian Bell has signed a two-year contract extension with Warwickshire, keeping him at Edgbaston until the end of the 2012 season.

The ECB’s annual strategy conference took place this week, focusing on the importance of one-day cricket. Chief executive David Collier is to head a review into the current volume of domestic cricket.

Work has begun on the installation of six state-of-the-art floodlights at Northamptonshire's County Ground. The project will take eight weeks.

Graham Napier has confirmed he will play for Essex in the Champions League Twenty20 if his county qualifies for the tournament next October.

Derbyshire have announced a trading profit for the fourth successive year. The midlands club made a £14,420 surplus for 2009 - subject to final approval.

England limited-overs batsman Joe Denly has committed his future to Kent by signing until the end of the 2011 season. He is a member of the one-day squad to tour the UAE and Bangladesh.