Leekbrookgull
Well-known member
Now just watch England slide down the table,as in football.
The tournament will take place at city-based Test grounds, although the new teams themselves will not necessarily feature cities in their names.
As a Somerset fan I'm disappointed that our board have voted in favour of this. I saw on Sky Sports News yesterday that our captain Chris Rogers was very in favour of this idea after seeing its impact in Australia, maybe that influenced our decision.
Either way, our fans are not happy. We've won the T20 before; we are a top Division 1 team and are not part of this new league due to us not being based in a city, despite the fact we have extensive support across the south west. I will not be supporting a team based in Cardiff, that is for sure.
Teams will not be named by cities but will be given 21st century names to engage with youth relating to England (Adders, Badgers, Herons, Voles etc).
Adders, Badgers, Herons, Voles? Surely that's patrol names in the Boy Scouts? Should really engage with today's non cricket-playing yoof................
Personally, I think cricket has dragged it's heels over this for too long now. A proper T20 competition has long been required to subsidise the four day game. However, I can't help thinking that for the national interests to be properly served, this is arse about face. They should be increasing first class counties to form more T20 cricket clubs to build a proper T20 league, and then reducing the number of sides who play the 4 days game, so that it falls more in line with the Sheffield Shield states in Australia - but change the rules to allow 7 calendar days to ensure 4 full day's play.
I know I'm in a minority and think many on here would baulk at that idea, and certainly nearly all of the duffers running the county clubs would. Something needs to change though.
Adders, Badgers, Herons, Voles? Surely that's patrol names in the Boy Scouts? Should really engage with today's non cricket-playing yoof................
Commercially there might be some truth to what you have said.
However, the current exciting England One Day side is born out of the county T20 competition. A lot of these players we are seeing play for England were playing in the T20 competition regularly at relatively young age. This has allowed them to hone skills and shots. Bring in a city competition with 3 overseas players, less games, there is less chance for the next Butler, Roy, Northeast etc to break through.
So whilst it might mean more money for the counties, it could well impact on the development of the next raft of English players.