The coin toss that decides whether a team bat or fields is to be scrapped in the County Championship next season.
The ECB confirmed the change will be in both divisions in an attempt to encourage better pitches for four-day cricket.
An ECB statement read: “The visiting captain will be offered the opportunity of bowling first. If he declines, the toss will take place as normal. But if he accepts, there will be no toss.”
The recommendation came from the ECB’s cricket committee, which includes ECB chief executive Tom Harrison, England team director Andrew Strauss and former England coach Andy Flower.
The committee’s chairman, Peter Wright, said a decision on whether to extend the trial would be taken at the end of the 2016 season.
