Following the decision of clubs to approve the introduction of fielding circles for the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup and Shield competitions, the Management Board have now published the regulations which will apply.

The Management Board decided at their December meeting that at the moment of delivery not more than two fielders should be outside the " fielding circle " for the first 15overs of an innings.

For the remaining overs of an innings not more than five fielders are permitted to be outside the fielding circle at the instant of delivery. This means that there will be four fielders plus the wicketkeeper and bowler inside the circle.

The wicketkeeper must remain inside the circle at all times.

Groundsmen will be instructed to mark a 30 yard semi-circle from the middle stump at each end of the ground. This will be indicated by appropriate markers and the two semi circles will be joined on each side of the wicket by a line of markers.

If too many players are outside the circle at the point of delivery a no ball will be called.

In the Priestley Cup there will also be a strict interpreattion of leg side wides. If a ball passes down the legside without hitting the bat or the batsman's person it will be called wide. This does not apply in the Priestley Shield.