If the overseas-born players arrive after their 18th birthday under the England and Wales Cricket Board's new rules, they must wait seven years rather than four years to qualify.

For those that live in England before they turn 18, the period of qualification will be four years.

The English have come under fire for their system turning into a viable career path for overseas players that have struggled to breakthrough in their homelands.

South African-born batsman Kevin Pietersen is a perfect example of this.

In protest at the controversial quota system, he headed to England and five years after his county debut produced his Ashes-clinching century for England at The Oval in 2005.