Cutting the County Championship from 14 games to 12 is the “only reasonable option” to protect welfare and improve standards, according to the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA).
A review into the structure of the domestic game, aiming to implement changes next season, is due to conclude in the coming weeks.
A reduction in the T20 Blast from the current system of two groups playing 14 games, to three groups playing 12 games, is set to be agreed.
But the future of the Championship is less clear, with a number of options on the table.
The status quo of 10 teams in the top flight and eight in the second tier could remain. The divisions could be flipped, to eight in Division One and 10 in Division Two. Either structure could include 14 or 12 games per season.
Another option would be to have a 12-team top flight, split into conferences of six, with a second tier of six teams.
The champions would be decided by a play-off between the winners of the two top-tier conferences, with one of the two promotion places from the second tier decided by a play-off between teams finishing second and third.
This system would mean 12 games for every county and a 13th for those involved in play-off matches.
The PCA prefers the conference model, but would also support the traditional divisional structure, as long as either is played over 12 games per county.
It points to research carried out among players, where 83% said the current schedule caused concern for their physical wellbeing and 67% have worries for the mental health.
“The schedule has always been a contentious issue,” said PCA chair and Warwickshire seamer Olly Hannon-Dalby.
“The feeling in recent seasons due to ever-increasing intensity of fixtures has led the game to a position where positive action has to be taken immediately and as an opportunity for the game to grow.
“A change in format of the County Championship to 12 league games is the only reasonable option and would breathe new life into what I believe would become the best red-ball competition in the world.”