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Thursday, 20 June 2019.
PTG 2824-14063.
Counties are demanding an extra £UK27 million ($A49.7m) from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in return for signing the contracts to confirm the establishment of the Hundred. Draft agreements have been with the clubs since the start of the year but they have yet to be signed because of disagreements over the length of the contract and the revenue that each of the 18 counties will receive from the governing body.
It was revealed last month that several counties were unhappy with being asked to sign ten-year contracts to deliver the Hundred when the ECB has agreed only a five-year broadcasting deal with Sky Sports and the BBC. But that dispute is close to being resolved (PTG 2806-13984, 31 May 2019). The ECB is being urged to reach a compromise whereby the eight host venues sign a ten-year contract containing a break clause that can be activated after five years by both parties.
The final sticking point for the deals, which need to be signed before the player auction in October, is the financial settlement. The ECB has guaranteed all counties £UK1.3m ($A2.4m) a year for the duration of the tournament, but there are concerns for the ten counties who will not host Hundred matches, as they will miss out on staging fees, and match-day commercial and merchandising revenue. Many smaller counties will lose commercial and ticketing revenue as a result of the downgrading of the ECB’s One-Day Cup next season, which will clash with the Hundred.
The counties are understood to be asking for an increase in the annual payment of between £UK300,000 and £UK500,000 ($A552-920,000). The ECB’s existing commitment to the counties is a total payout of £UK117m ($A215m) over five years, but with a broadcast deal worth £UK1.1 billion ($A2bn) from 2020-24 the counties argue that it can afford an increase that would secure the counties’ futures.
PTG 2824-14063.
It was revealed last month that several counties were unhappy with being asked to sign ten-year contracts to deliver the Hundred when the ECB has agreed only a five-year broadcasting deal with Sky Sports and the BBC. But that dispute is close to being resolved (PTG 2806-13984, 31 May 2019). The ECB is being urged to reach a compromise whereby the eight host venues sign a ten-year contract containing a break clause that can be activated after five years by both parties.
The final sticking point for the deals, which need to be signed before the player auction in October, is the financial settlement. The ECB has guaranteed all counties £UK1.3m ($A2.4m) a year for the duration of the tournament, but there are concerns for the ten counties who will not host Hundred matches, as they will miss out on staging fees, and match-day commercial and merchandising revenue. Many smaller counties will lose commercial and ticketing revenue as a result of the downgrading of the ECB’s One-Day Cup next season, which will clash with the Hundred.
The counties are understood to be asking for an increase in the annual payment of between £UK300,000 and £UK500,000 ($A552-920,000). The ECB’s existing commitment to the counties is a total payout of £UK117m ($A215m) over five years, but with a broadcast deal worth £UK1.1 billion ($A2bn) from 2020-24 the counties argue that it can afford an increase that would secure the counties’ futures.
Warwickshire to launch new 100-ball amateur Sunday tournament
Played in coloured clothing with a pink ball, all games will start at 2pm to give clubs an opportunity to remain open throughout the day, following the morning’s programme of youth cricket
Twelve clubs will make history this weekend when they take part in the opening round of fixtures in the groundbreaking Warwickshire Sunday Smash.
The Smash is a new 100-ball format tournament launched by the Warwickshire Cricket Board and Warwickshire County Cricket Club to revitalise Sunday cricket at clubs across the region.
Sixteen clubs in three regional divisions will each play between six and eight games throughout June and July with the top teams progressing to a semi-finals day at Bedworth Cricket Club on August 11 and then a Finals Day at Edgbaston on Sunday, September 1.
Played in coloured clothing with a pink ball, all games will start at 2pm to give clubs an opportunity to remain open throughout the day, following the morning’s programme of youth cricket.
This exciting new chapter of regional cricket history will open this weekend with the first round of matches.
Great family entertainment is promised at each venue, nowhere more than at Solihull Blossomfield where the local derby with Knowle & Dorridge will be at the heart of a Family Fun Day with loads of entertainment for children and adults.
The objective of the new tournament and format is to make the cricket the centrepiece of a great day's family entertainment.
Andy Wyles, growth and participation manager at WCB, said: “We have been delighted by the positive reaction from clubs to the formation of the Warwickshire Sunday Smash.
"The 100-ball format has evoked a lot of interest ahead of the exciting new franchise tournament next year and I think the Smash games, and the days at which they are the centrepiece, will be greatly enjoyed by a lot of people over the next two months.
"The format is designed to encourage cricketers who previously played regular league cricket back into the game through a shorter format.
“In recent years some clubs have experienced a large drop in player availability for the all-day league format, due to family, work and other reasons, but the Warwickshire Sunday Smash, played in two hours and 15 minutes, with reduced travel time, is much better-shaped for players, their families and other potential spectators.
“It will also provide an opportunity for clubs to generate bar and kitchen revenue and we hope that it can help reinvigorate Sunday cricket in the region.”
Opening round fixtures: Water Orton v Four Oaks Saints, Sutton Coldfield v Bedworth, Shenley Fields v Harborne, Moseley Ashfield v Aston Manor, Stratford-on-Avon v Alcester & Ragley and Solihull Blossomfield v Knowle & Dorridge.
Report courtest of the ECB Reporters Network.
Isn't this how The Hundred should have been trialled? Not by alienating cricket supporters, marginalising the majority of County HQs and concocting plastic teams that have zero support.
If the concept proves to have growing support at grassroots, grows participation and interest in cricket overall, then perhaps introduce a professional competition.
It's not as though they have "put the cart before the horse" when they are intending to send the horse to the knackers'-yard and replace it with a fairy-unicorn. DG
I said from the outset that the Richer Clubs will get richer and the Poorer Club poorer - it is simples!!! Just look at alcohol sales etc. (the non-cricket income) which the 10 Counties will not get. Well done ECB - and shame on the Counties for ever going down this route. I hope that the whole venture fails.
ReplyDeleteThe Hundred will be the death of county cricket, and the counties are so blinded by greed they cannot see this.
ReplyDelete