[Cricket] Toss now optional at County Championship matches

[Bozza]

The toss is to be scrapped from both divisions of the County Championship.

Before the start of each match, the visiting captain will be offered the opportunity of bowling first. If he doesn't want to, the toss will take place as normal. But if he accepts, there will be no toss.

 

[TomandJerry]

Who gives a toss

 

[gripper stebson]

I've often thought the toss was bringing domestic cricket to it's knees. Thank god common sense has prevailed!

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

Before the start of each match, the Sussex captain will be offered the opportunity of losing first. If he doesn't want to, the toss will take place as normal. But if he accepts, there will be no toss.

Surely this.

 

[dazzer6666]

No option at Hove. Toss is compulsory

 

[GT49er]

Seems a particularly pointless change. Anybody explain the rationale behind it?

 

[Gwylan]

Seems a particularly pointless change. Anybody explain the rationale behind it?

It's actually one of the more sensible ideas the ECB has come up with. The thinking behind is that too many teams prepare pitches that are too green and too seamer-friendly as there's a 50/50 chance they'd get first use of it. The rationale for the change is that if a home side knows that's going to have to bat first, they'd be less inclined to prepare a green top and prepare a pitch that wears a bit so batting on the fourth innings will be tricky.

The whole point of the move is to encourage spinners, so a future England side, confronted by a bit of a bunsen, doesn't have to choose between a leggie who delivers a long-hop every over, a batsman who bowls and left-armer who, by the looks of him, will always opt for the eat-all-you-can buffet rather than net practice

 

[Chicken Run]

It's actually one of the more sensible ideas the ECB has come up with. The thinking behind is that too many teams prepare pitches that are too green and too seamer-friendly as there's a 50/50 chance they'd get first use of it. The rationale for the change is that if a home side knows that's going to have to bat first, they'd be less inclined to prepare a green top and prepare a pitch that wears a bit so batting on the fourth innings will be tricky.

The whole point of the move is to encourage spinners, so a future England side, confronted by a bit of a bunsen, doesn't have to choose between a leggie who delivers a long-hop every over, a batsman who bowls and left-armer who, by the looks of him, will always opt for the eat-all-you-can buffet rather than net practice

Thanks for explaining that

 

[8ace]

Hopefully they'll change the daft heavy roller rule too.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Sussex still need a batting coach....

 

[Surf's Up]

Sussex still need a batting coach....

Right on the money, as ever - well, most of the time!

 

[Gwylan]

Sussex still need a batting coach....

Between Grizzly and Matty, I hear

 

[Guinness Boy]

Slightly sad that the description of a captain as a "great tosser" will be a little diminished.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Between Grizzly and Matty, I hear

Either would be good appointments.

 

[studio150]

It's actually one of the more sensible ideas the ECB has come up with. The thinking behind is that too many teams prepare pitches that are too green and too seamer-friendly as there's a 50/50 chance they'd get first use of it. The rationale for the change is that if a home side knows that's going to have to bat first, they'd be less inclined to prepare a green top and prepare a pitch that wears a bit so batting on the fourth innings will be tricky.

The whole point of the move is to encourage spinners, so a future England side, confronted by a bit of a bunsen, doesn't have to choose between a leggie who delivers a long-hop every over, a batsman who bowls and left-armer who, by the looks of him, will always opt for the eat-all-you-can buffet rather than net practice

So why are they still persisting with playing championship matches in April and May if the move is to encourage spin bowling. I'm sure that given the usual amount of moisture about, the amount of spin bowling in an attacking rather than defensive mode will be minimal regardless of whether there is a toss or not.

Playing more championship matches later in the season would encourage more spin bowling.

 

[Gwylan]

So why are they still persisting with playing championship matches in April and May if the move is to encourage spin bowling. I'm sure that given the usual amount of moisture about, the amount of spin bowling in an attacking rather than defensive mode will be minimal regardless of whether there is a toss or not.

Playing more championship matches later in the season would encourage more spin bowling.

It's to fit the T20 nonsense in. I can't see how they can have a T20 league, a one-day league and the CC otherwise. What should happen is day/night CC so more people can attend and one of the whizz-bang competitions become knockout or smaller league + KO

 

[Marshy]

I thought this was only coming in for Div 2 ?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Between Grizzly and Matty, I hear

Cannot see Davies employing Adams.

Would see him as too much of a threat for his role.

 

[Saladpack Seagull]

Good point. I've thought for a long while that the season should run May to mid-October as there always seem to be some really good cricketing days AFTER we've just stopped playing and some really bad days as soon as we start! I'm not a climate change advocate but maybe the weather HAS changed since the 1880's and now is the time to reset the limits of the season.

 

[Saladpack Seagull]

Apologies to studio 150! I was meaning to quote you when posting #19!