The ECB came under attack from current and former players for scrapping the ODI format from its 2010 domestic calendar.

England and Wales Cricket Board had on Thursday replaced the 50-over cricket at domestic level with a 40-over competition when counties voted 15-3 in favour of the latter.

ECB scraps 50-over format

Paul Collingwood said counties must play the format which is accepted globally.

"We want county cricket to mirror international cricket, simple as that. It is important (players) are getting the experience before they get to the international stage. If we are not playing the 50-over game (at county level) it is going to be a hindrance," Collingwood said.

Geoff Miller, currently the chief selector, was also baffled by the decision.

"If there is a global 50-over tournament we have to participate in it, and if all we re playing is 40-over cricket then I have a problem with that," Miller was quoted as saying by 'The Times'.

"I am looking at it from a cricketing point of view; I understand there is a financial point of view as well. My job as national selector is to win cricket matches and if we do that, it makes money along the line, as will happen with the Ashes," he said.

"ODI cricket may die with 2011 WC"

Counties, on their part, welcomed the move.

"There are straightforward commercial and financial reasons why we prefer 40 overs to 50, because people would much rather watch the shorter game.

"They prefer to spend the morning at home, then come to the cricket after lunch. That's the modern way and we have to fit in with that," Mark Tagg, the Northamptonshire chief executive said.