Head coach Jimmy Adams says despite seeing Kent’s promotion hopes cut in half by an ECB revamp, it won’t affect their preparation for the new season.

The domestic cricket season is being revamped in 2017 with changes revealed by the ECB Board on Monday following discussions with First Class counties including Kent.

From next year there will be changes to the structure and timing of the NatWest T20 Blast, Specsavers County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup cricket - ones generally supported by the Kent hierarchy.

However from 2017 the 18 Championship sides will be split into a top tier of eight teams and a second division of 10, with this year’s Division 2 runners-up missing out on promotion, while two teams come down from the existing Division 1 - a move which is less popular at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, as they strive to return to the top-flight for the first time since 2010.

Despite seeing his side’s chances of promotion dramatically reduced, Adams said: “It is the same for everybody and I’m sure everyone feels the same. It is a level playing field and there’s no point in one of nine teams saying something - it’s not going to change anything.”

He added: “It is certainly not going to change anything at the outset of the season. The main thing at this stage is for us to improve our red ball cricket significantly from where it was last year. I think we have the players to do that.”

From 2017 teams will play seven home and seven away fixtures, with two teams going-up and two coming down.

Four-day cricket will be played around two blocks of T20 action - in July and August to attract more families - while the 50-over Cup group stages will be played in April and May with the final in July to help avoid the cross-over of formats which happened so much in recent seasons.

Colin Graves, ECB Chairman said: “We’ve worked closely (with clubs), looking to improve the domestic structure for the good of the game.

“The changes for 2017 will be good for fans, players and our international teams. The season is easier to follow, the blocks help players focus on specific skills and there’s a better balance across all three formats.

“There is a clear consensus that County cricket has to be sustainable and must support the whole game. There is an appetite for change and cricket is moving fast – we must not be left behind.”

Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive, added: “These are sound decisions reached through constructive discussion - it’s important that everyone was aware before the start of this season how things will work next year.

“For 2017, an early-season block for the Royal London One-Day Cup will let County players focus on the white-ball game and support England’s preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy here.

“NatWest T20 Blast will start later in the summer, when more children and parents are on holiday and can come along, helping to attract new fans and inspire more people to play and attend. The Specsavers County Championship remains the bedrock of the summer, from April to September.

“We now have a great opportunity to take a detailed look at a range of options and find the best structure for the long-term health of the domestic and international game.”

Andrew Strauss, a member of the eight-strong Structure Steering Group, added: “Feedback from players and cricket management is always important in deciding how to shape the season.

“Last year a County player could change between formats as many as 24 times over the summer. Next year that could be down to as few as six. This will help develop skill levels and create a better narrative to the summer.

“A successful England team helps to attract new followers and an improved structure will give us a better chance to both develop our players and to encourage more people to play.”