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County Championship could be played alongside The Hundred, says Ashley Giles
HUW TURBERVILL: Next summer the One-Day Cup will be played at the same time as the ECB’s new competition, but that could well change in the future
The prospect of County Championship matches being played alongside The Hundred instead of the One-Day Cup has been touted by Ashley Giles, the managing director of England men’s cricket.
Next summer the 50-over tournament will be played at the same time as the ECB’s new competition. It was felt that having the four-day competition at this time would devalue it, with 128 players at The Hundred, including 104 domestic-qualified stars. That prompted criticism that England would be neglecting List A cricket however, just one summer after becoming world champions in that format for the first time.
Giles, in an interview in The Cricketer, has suggested that the Championship alongside The Hundred could be a better fit.
“People will say the integrity of the Championship would be in question,” said Giles, “but you could view it slightly differently: play with a points system, and have a healthy mix of senior players who are not in The Hundred, alongside some 19 and 20-years-olds.
“Have four rounds of Championship cricket at the height of summer, on good pitches that might spin. A lot of county members like seeing the young players, at outgrounds… that would be great!
“You could then move your 50-over back to the start of the year. It definitely will be 50-over alongside The Hundred next summer, but this will be consistently reviewed.”
One advantage of the change would be that Test players would have some red-ball cricket available to prove their form and fitness – James Anderson suffered from not having that last summer when the Ashes was played.
In reply to criticism that the ECB were neglecting 50-over cricket, Giles said: “It remains really important. But we have to prioritise slightly differently over the next few years. We have two T20 World Cups [2020 in Australia, 2021 in India] ahead of the 2023 50-over World Cup [in India]. We’ll still play 50-over.
“Can I sit here and say it’s the most important thing when it’s being playing alongside The Hundred – no, I can’t. You’d laugh at me. It’s actually a really good competition for some young guys to get exposure. Then in 2021 we might have a look at the scheduling again.”
Sadly Giles and Strauss are just part of the court of King Colin
ReplyDeleteThe Hundred must go, compromise is impossible with these people. It may not happen until the thing flops, which I pray it does. The consequences would be serious, but far worse if it succeeds imo
ReplyDeleteThey know they've made a gigantic mess of the 2020 Schedules with trying to play too many formats in a limited period of time with some being crammed into just 8 Grounds. Like children they will have to learn from their mistakes - a great shame because these are supposed to be people who understand and wish to positively promote the Game.
ReplyDelete"A lot of county members like seeing young players at outgrounds" REALLY? Well, here's one that doesn't.
ReplyDeleteThat's called the Second Eleven isn't it?
DeleteWish I had thought of that line DG and as a lot of people know I DO like watching the stiffs down at the palatial Lady Bay but in the correct format
DeleteStiffs cricket is free watching, ODC will be charged even when played at "sunny" Grantham
DeleteWhat planet is Giles on ?
ReplyDeleteHe is obviously spouting the 'official" line - effectively just being told what to say .
BUT WHAT DOES HE REALLY THINK ?
Looking at players you have scarcely heard of and playing on outgrounds which are sometimes hard to get to is certainly not progress . I think a lot of current Members will be holding onto their hard earned brass before renewing for 2020. The fixture list when it is published needs to be given serious consideration
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The Hundred and its franchise 'clubs' are intended to replace the county clubs indeed county cricket.
ReplyDeleteBoycott the hundred.
Seems an expensive way to get rid of something 18 x £1.3M for 4 years is it? Just stop handing money to the counties, would be a quicker way.
DeleteHow many 4 day games will each County play in say 5 or ten years time ?
ReplyDeleteAny inspired guesses?
Another question!
In 5 years time how many of the Notts CCC squad will be WHITE ball only players ?
Spot on 75no I'm waiting for the fixture list for 2 reasons. Firstly my spending has to be sensible and so given that I will not attend the franchise events I need to see what I will attend. Then I can calculate the cost involved versus maybe attending a few games and paying at the gate.Secondly I need to be convinced that the Club that I love will not continue to abuse my trust and affection. To do that there would have to be changes.
ReplyDeleteI think increasingly what-would-otherwise-be-members will be doing this - how many days at remote out-grounds, difficult to access on public transport? How many weekend days at Trent Bridge?
DeleteYes, indeed. How many people really want to gamble a days holiday off work to see your own side shorn of 7 or 8 of its best players, having had a lengthy trip to get there(especially as some of us don't drive) and as an added bonus if it has slung it down overnight the game probably won't start on time.......or not at all.Not an appealing prospect for most I would sugget. Had the biggest laugh ever earlier on Pravda(Notts Twitter) with the slogan "Bowlers prepare to weep under the explosive hitting power of". Were they talking about VIv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Lance Klusener? Of course not, they mean the new T10 league with Tom Moores. Who needs Fawlty Towers when you've got this instead.
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