Just read CMJ in the Times saying the Harmison contract will be almost unique in view of the financial rewards from the ECB for counties who play young English qualified players.

Harmi has a 4 year deal worth £600k but with the salary cap of 1.8m, Durham are not able to afford Chanderpaul as their overseas player.

Extra payments from the ECB will be paid to counties for

up to two players under 22 chosen for each game,
up to five players under 26 and
up to nine of any age who are England-qualified.

"Financially, therefore, the way for cash-strapped counties to get the most from the central pot will be to play two England-qualified players under 22, another three under 26 and four more in the Harmison/Hoggard (31/32) age bracket, leaving room for only two foreigners. "

So where does that leave our starting line up?

Under 22 at start of 2010 season - all the Academy lads, plus Bairstow, Ballance, Hannon-Dalby, Lee, Sanderson, Rafiq

Under 26 - Bresnan, Rashid, Hodgson, Lyth, Shahzad, Wainwright

Over 26 - McGrath, Brophy, Gale, Sayers, Patterson, Taylor, Pyrah

Kolpak - Rudolph
Overseas - Harris

I think this may spell the end for some like Taylor, Pyrah and Patterson and possibly Brophy based on other availability.

Possible starting line up based on last season?

Rudolph - Kolpak
Sayers - over 26
McGrath - over 26
Gale - over 26
Bairstow - under 22
Brophy - over 26
Bresnan - under 26
Rashid - under 26
Shahzad - under 26
Harris - overseas
Wainwright - over 22

But this means we are an under 22 short, an under 26 short and 2 over 26's too many to maximise our financial gains.

Possible starting line up to please the bean-counters?

Rudolph - Kolpak
Sayers - over 26
McGrath - over 26
Lyth - over 22
Bairstow - under 22
Bresnan - under 26
Rashid - under 26
Shahzad - under 26
Harris - overseas
Wainwright - over 22
Lee/Hannon-Dalby - under 22

but if we lose Rashid and Bresnan to England we cannot recall Gale as he is over 26 so it opens up the door for Ballance and Hodgson.

It reminds me of the days when the football teams in Europe had to play so many British players and Man Utd had to leave out Schmeichel and as a result lost a big match.

Will we let money dictate selection or will we pick our best team irrespective of age?

Not sure Mags will be hear after next season either!

As usual the ECB have missed on significant point ... so I'll bang my drum yet again.

Yes making teams play more England qualified players is good ... but there's still nothing about players who've come through the team's ranks ... so certain richer counties will still be able to sign up other counties talent & get paid for it.

An outstanding post Triple C. You are really on your game these days. Thanks for opening up this discussion.

One way or the other, Yorkshire will be fielding a younger team next season.

cheers Niall

What I meant to add was that it makes little financial sense for the club to now be looking around for another English seamer to add to our attack (as some posters would like) unless he is under 22 (which would be a real kick in the teeth to Lee/H-D/Sanderson or possibly under 26 (of which there will be many contracted already for 2010 and those available may not be very good!)

Lets not forget that other counties will be facing the same predicament as us so we are not the only ones in this situation.

At some stage I will try and analyse the Durham team on a similar basis as I suspect they will struggle to field the same starting line up as last season without financial penalty.

Dpressed point is interesting as I suspect young player movement around the counties might change from now on as counties recognise the need to keep these players on their books. The regular poachers at Trent Bridge may have to alter their approach as by the time they get to see the likes of Broad, Swann and Sidebottom play a full season for them, they will all be in the over 26 category and not as attractive to them.