WORCESTERSHIRE'S Director of Cricket Tom Moody today backed a decision to stage a new 20-over evening competition designed to breathe new life into the game.

From next season, the Benson & Hedges Cup will be replaced by the shortened limited-overs game played during June.

The England and Wales Cricket Board hope the competition -- which will be played for a minimum of three years -- will bring more supporters, especially youngsters, into county grounds.

Moody said: "I think it's quite an exciting innovation. It's an ideal opportunity for batsmen, bowlers and fielders to perform at the extremes of the game."

A meeting of the 18 first-class counties voted to support its introduction in spite of dissenting voices from defending county champions Yorkshire.

Moody also backed the recommendation that counties should have the option to play two overseas players next season, rather than just the one player that is currently permitted.

He said: "It should lift the standard of first-class cricket in a positive way."

Meanwhile, the County open their three-day match against Oxford UCCE in The Parks tomorrow and have selected: Weston, Singh, Hick, Smith, Solanki, Leatherdale, Batty, Rhodes, Kabir Ali, Liptrot, Sheriyar. 12th man: Peters.