DARYL Mitchell has welcomed the new toss rule in next summer’s County Championship.

The ECB has agreed a new regulation on a trial basis for 2016 with Worcestershire skipper Mitchell happy as he believes the standard of pitches has declined in recent seasons.

In Division One and Two fixtures, the visiting captain will be offered the opportunity to bowl first.

If he declines, the toss will take place as normal. If he accepts, there will be no toss.

Mitchell said: “I am for it. It is something I think will work well.

“I’ve certainly played in a lot of games in recent years where you think ‘this pitch isn’t quite ready, it is under-prepared’ and the toss has had too much impact on the game and the end result.

“I think if it improves pitches it will be a good thing. The quality of pitches has deteriorated definitely.

“You look around the country and see the amount of games that finish in two-and-a-half to three days.

“With all due respect, there are a lot of bowlers around the country getting 50,60,70 or 80 wickets who bowl medium pace on a length.

“Hopefully, now the pitches will be slightly flatter and people have to work harder for their wickets.”

Mitchell added: “Wickets starting slightly drier will hopefully bring spinners more into the game as well.

“It is being done for the right reasons and will certainly make things interesting in terms of pitches.

“If it is only for one year, it is worth a try, the same as pink balls in Test cricket. I think it is quite a good move.”

Mitchell believes it is right the regulation applies to both divisions.

He said: “The first I heard of it, it was just going to be in Division Two, which I think is probably wrong.

“In Division One, there are arguably more games that mean something because you have got relegation as well.

“In Division Two, if you are not in the mix for promotion, there are probably five or six teams involved in more dead games so people are more likely to try and create result wickets and seamer-friendly pitches.

“If it was going to be trialled, it was right to be across the board. If it doesn’t work, scrap it but we need to give it a go. I think it will have a reasonable impact on county cricket.”