Tossing out the coin

The England and Wales Cricket Board is considering scrapping the coin toss at the start of matches in the second-division County Championship.

The proposal is set to be discussed by the ECB on Thursday after a recommendation from its cricket committee.

It would be a historic decision by the board, with the trial, if given the green light set to be closely watched around the world.

An ECB spokesman confirmed to The Telegraph that if approved, it will be trialed for one year next season.

Instead of a coin toss at the beginning of the match, the away side will automatically be given the choice of batting or bowling first.

The radical proposal is based on improving pitches and encouraging more spin bowlers.

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