WILTSHIRE could be faced with having to drop older players next season because of new rules being introduced by the English Cricket Board.

From next season minor counties sides will have to have an average age of under 26 over the season or face losing their funding.

The minor counties will also be banned from having overseas players in their side or face a financial penalty. Currently minor county sides receive £20,000 a season compared to first class counties, which receive £1.35 million. If they fail to stick to the new rules counties could fall foul of financial penalties while other counties are rewarded.

Geoff Evans, secretary of the Minor Counties Cricket Association, said: "The distribution of the central funds will be adjusted for the following season depending on who plays overseas players and the average age of the squads. Counties are not bound to the rules but if they do not follow them they will be financially penalised."

Wiltshire batsman Richard Bates, 34, feels the rules will not work. He aid: "One, can they get time off work? Two, are they good enough? And three, do they want to play?

"It's not always easy to say and you may miss out on the players that are 30-odd and you need some of them to help the younger players through."

Despite arguments that it would reduced the quality of the game and create just another youth match, Wiltshire coach Alan Crouch is backing the plans. He said: "The ECB are encouraging the minor county sides to be selected by younger teams.

"If minor county cricket is going to play any part in the development of the game we have to be using it as an opportunity for our younger players' development to move them onto first class cricket.

"Minor county cricket has been a game for our club players irrespective of how young they are and not used as a development for young players. The ECB are throwing in some more rules and regulations but at the end of the day they are funding it. But I am all for one overseas and one ex-pro because that experience can develop the youngsters.

"We will be using former England international Richard Illingworth this year in the three home games and he will help the younger players progress."

Wiltshire manager Brian White feels the scheme could be worked in a better way. "I think it would be easier if you had to have a certain number rather than an average age,'' he said.

"I don't think we will have a problem. If you look at Eddie Able and James Hayward playing this week their added aged is 35."