SUSSEX could be compensated for the likely reduction in the number of Twenty20 games they play from 2012 onwards.

A decision on the domestic schedule will be made by the ECB on March 22 after they have received questionnaires from all 18 counties which are due back tomorrow.

The ECB sent out them out after a meeting of chairmen and chief executives last week failed to agree on the calendar from next season.

But they have already indicated that the Twenty20 will revert to a ten-match per county format, a reduction of six games, with compensation being paid to counties like Sussex, Somerset and Essex who have complained about the potential loss of income from three fewer home fixtures.

Sussex chairman Jim May estimated that could be worth £100,000. He said: “We may have to accept fewer games but we don’t see why we should be penalised for doing well at marketing and getting people to the ground to watch Twenty20 cricket.”

The biggest stumbling block at last week’s gathering was getting consensus on the proposal to trim the County Championship from 16 games to 14.

This would be achieved by having eight counties in Division One who would play each other twice. A ten-team second division would mean some teams only playing other once.

The questionnaire will ask counties whether they consider the integrity of the existing Championship structure is more valuable than the financial rewards for taking part in the Champions League.

As domestic Twenty20 champions, Sussex took part in the inaugural event in 2009 in India along with runners-up Somerset but there was no English representation last year because it clashed with the end of the county season.

Participating teams are looked after financially and even those counties who do not qualify get £50,000 from Champions League organisers.

But the only way counties can take part in mid-September is if the domestic season finishes earlier – and that means two less Championship games than at present and fewer Twenty20s.

May added: “From our point of view the Champions League is worth it both financially as well as from a cricketing point of view. Our squad learned so much from their experiences in India.

“I would say 14 Championship games instead of 16 looks more likely.

“The divisions will be imbalanced but our chief executive Dave Brooks did point out that they operate an asymmetrical system in the NFL and that works well.

“The England hierarchy want a reduction in playing days and we could end up losing 14 days.

“Coaches tell us that players need more time to rest and prepare which is very true but we don’t see any of them volunteering for less pay.

“We also have to take into account our members and supporters who want value for money.”

Whatever the outcome of the discussions later this month the ECB have promised a decision at their meeting on so counties know where they stand in time for the new season which is just a month away.