LONDON, Oct 22: English cricket authorities are to combat influx of foreign players by giving extra money to counties who produce national team members. The annual county subsidy of around 1.3 million pounds will include incentives for sides fielding England-qualified players in major competitions.

European Union legislation has allowed some players to avoid the quota of two overseas signings per county. The exact amounts involved will be confirmed in December. But reports suggest the annual handout will be cut by 50,000 Pounds per team with the money gained used for incentive payments.

More than 30 players appeared in county competition in 2005 without being qualified for England but also without taking up an overseas player spot. Many were from Southern Hermisphere but held British passports through ancestry or residency.

Others qualified through Kolpak ruling - made by European court in a case involving a Slovakian handball player - which outlaws descrimination against those from countries which have associate agreement with European Union.

Sports lawyer and player agent David Ligertwood believes England & Wales Cricket Board must be careful in the way it makes payments. He said: "My understanding is they are doing it only for counties that produce England players and my first reaction is that it is spot on.

"Had they done it only on number of England-qualified players, that would be wrong and illegal. That concept of basing it purely on where someone is from doesn't seem consistent with European law."

Last week's meeting of First Class Forum - made up of representatives of 18 counties, plus MCC - decided to continue with current overseas player limit of two. But any replacements for those two players must be nominated by 1 July, preventing clutch of late-season signings seen this season. -PPI