Benson & Hedges Cup

Timeline 1972-2002

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1972 Twenty teams were organised into four zonal groups; the (then) seventeen first-class counties were joined by three other teams, Minor Counties (North), Minor Counties (South) and Cambridge University (who were to alternate annually with Oxford University). In each group matches (the five teams playing each other once) the winners were awarded three points plus a bonus point if their opponents were all out.

1973 The groups were the same except for Oxford University replacing Cambridge University. In each group match the winners were again awarded three points but the awarding of a bonus point if their opponents were all out was discontinued. Instead final placings were decided by strike rate (balls per wicket).

1974 At their own request, Middlesex moved into the Midlands Zone and so Cambridge University, continuing to alternate with Oxford University, were placed in the South Zone.

1975 Middlesex returned to the South Zone at the expense of Surrey, who moved into the West Zone. Minor Counties (South) moved into the South Zone from the West Zone and a combined Oxford & Cambridge Universities Team played in the Midland Zone.

1976 The groupings were now no longer based on geographical considerations and the Minor Counties' two teams were divided into East and West instead of North and South.

1979 The Minor Counties reverted to their original North and South division.

1980 Scotland entered the competition, the Minor Counties being reduced to just one team. Two points now awarded for a win.

1981 Fielding circles were used in all matches.

1987 The positions in the group tables, where points are equal, now decided by batsmens' run-rate (the number of balls faced divided by the number of runs scored). A Combined Universities team which could consist of players from any of the UAU-affiliated institutions replaced Oxford & Cambridge Universities.

1988 The method for calculating run rate was changed to runs per 100 balls.

1992 The promotion of Durham to first-class status meant that the number of teams was increased to 21, one of the groups being 6.

1993 The format was changed to a straight knock-out.

1994 Ireland were added to the competition bringing the number of participating teams to 22.

1995 The competition reverted to the using group matches. The method used for calculating run rate was now that for each team minus that for each of their opponents.