English counties to be restricted to one overseas player

LONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that counties will only be able to field one overseas player from the 2008 season.

''During a consultation process led by ECB deputy chief executive Hugh Morris it became clear that an overwhelming number of counties supported the reduction from two to one overseas player,'' the ECB said in a statement.

Counties will still be able to replace their one registered overseas player with another should he get injured or called up for an overseas tour at short notice, the ECB said.

A maximum number of four overseas players will be able to be registered in one season under the new proposals with a minimum three week registration period for each player.

REUTERS VJ RK0103