IMPORTANT changes have been made to rules in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League for next season.

They include away teams having the choice of bowling first or asking for a toss to determine choice of innings, the introduction of the Duckworth Lewis Stern method for rain-affected first-team matches and a reduction of second-team Championship matches to 90 overs maximum and second-team Conference matches to 80 overs maximum.

In addition, a change in the points system will finally benefit teams who dismiss a side batting first for 125 or under, while only Premier and Championship One clubs will take part in the Priestley Cup, with Championship Two and Conference clubs taking part in the Jack Hampshire Cup.

Premier Division second teams must take part in the Priestley Shield but clubs from outside the top flight can apply to enter, although only a maximum of 32 clubs can take part overall. If more than that enter, a draw will take place to determine which clubs will take part.

The only one of the 27 rule change proposals not to be voted in at the league's annual meeting at Cleckheaton Sports Club was leg-side wides for first-team matches – and even that was only defeated 29-28.

The alteration to the points system now means that a side batting second and bowling a side out cheaply can earn 20 points but will have a point deducted for each two wickets lost.

That rule proposal, which also included giving the away team the choice of bowling first, was passed 42-17, with two abstentions.

The introduction of Duckworth Lewis if a match suffers more than 30 minutes of stoppages for rain or bad light received 30 votes, while Pudsey Congs' alternative proposal that no match should start if more than 50 overs have been lost only received 13 votes.

Reducing the overs in second-team Championship and Conference matches was passed 43-18, while which clubs play in the Priestley Cup, Jack Hampshire Cup and Priestley Shield (thereby getting rid of the Wheatley Cup) was passed 51-10.

The league have also laid out the penalties for non-fulfilment of fixtures, instead of leaving the decision up to the management board.

Offending clubs will be penalised 20 points (for both their first and second teams) and fined £50 per offence, while they must also pay any costs incurred by their opponents, who would automatically receive 17 points.

That was passed 35-26, while the rule that, where possible, pitches for first-team matches will be located towards the centre of the square was passed 45-14, with two abstentions.

Meanwhile, the deposit for lodging a protest, an objection or calling a special general meeting has gone up from £10 to £50 (passed 35-26).