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Change unlikely for 2026 as counties hit championship impasse
Lizzy Ammon 12/08
Eighteen first-class clubs fail to find way forward despite general agreement change must happen, but T20 quarter-finals and finals day will be brought forward to July
The 18 first-class counties still cannot agree on a new structure for the County Championship and it is looking increasingly likely they will have to settle for the status quo remaining in place for 2026.
At the start of this season an official review began into how to restructure the domestic game, with every county and the players’ union agreeing that the existing format was not working.
Numerous alternative arrangements have been proposed and rejected since, with only two now remaining on the table, both of which would involve a reduction in first-class fixtures from the present 14. However, at least seven counties, including Somerset, Surrey and Middlesex, have already stated publicly they will not accept a reduction. Any restructuring requires a minimum of 12 of the 18 counties to vote in favour — hence the impasse.
All 18 first-class counties have been asked to indicate their preference on the two remaining options by this Friday. A decision on changes — or no changes — ideally needs to be made by the end of the month so counties know before the start of the final block of Championship matches in September what they are playing for in terms of promotion and relegation.
Of the two remaining options, the first is the most radical. It involves creating a 12-team Division One divided into two pools, with a six-team Division Two underneath. Teams in Division One would play ten games, home and away, against their five pool rivals, plus two additional fixtures against teams from the other pool. The teams who finish top of each pool would then take part in a play-off final in September for the County Championship title. The bottom team in each pool would either be relegated or play off against the top two teams in Division Two. This model would at least allow for an additional two one-day cup matches in August, giving county members another home match to watch as well as six home red-ball matches and potentially a play-off fixture.
It is believed that Gee Cee met on Wednesday (again on the day of a Nottinghamshire away game) - the result from which we hope to hear favourable news. The Options C and D from the original options table shared with members (the 2 remaining options on the ECB's table) were universally dismissed as unsuitable, in the first rounds of "consultation".
82 NOT OUT
ReplyDeleteThe ECB will be far from happy . Will economic arm twisting be applied behind the scenes to make a couple of Counties change their mind?
( to achieve the ECB target of 12 four dayers)
In cricket these days you just feel anything can happen . Those with all the money usually get their way
Interesting scenario
SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW ?
Thank goodness we have 18 counties and radical change is not easy to bring in. So disappointed our very own County did not stand with the other 7 on this non red ball reduction
ReplyDeleteStrauss’s ridiculous review after the last Ashes defeat down under was defeated
and now hopefully next year, at least, will stand at 14
Can just about accept a small reduction in Blast 💥 t20, if the Metro 🚇 Bank 🏦 and red ball campaigns remain the same number.
Having said that, no doubt next season will be a typically wet one and of the reduced 6 games 2 or 3 will be completely rained off or weather affected and we will be watching only 3 or 4 games in reality - in a more typical English summer, allied to red ball games finishing inside 4 days, the poor over-worked players in reality do not play the amount of days scheduled at the start. Wonder if anyone at the ECB/PCA ever takes this into account when advising a reduction in games ????
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ReplyDeleteYES - the future weather is one of the great unknowns ! With global warming will we get drier or wetter summers? Differing opinions and answers from all and sundry .
How many days have Notts ccc lost this season due to bad weather? Have they in fact lost a single whole day ( first team only)
It’s a strange situation . All 18 Counties want a change but can’t agree on which change so it’s stalemate . Is it possible the ECB may get exasperated and change the rules from two thirds ( 12 vote No and 6 vote YES - to a simple majority 10 vote NO and 8 vote YES .
Could that be done I wonder ?
Interesting question, could they do that, as you ask under current rules ? Hope they can't !
DeleteAs in 2022, resistance of at least some counties has been strong. If only that kind of backbone had been there in the earlier days of this sorry franchise saga.
Hopefully change can be instigated, at least at Notts, so that the views of the members can be more democratically represented.
ReplyDeleteMr Hood
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ReplyDeleteIf there is an impasse by the 18 Counties ref number of 4 day games then where does that leave the Notts top table and the apparently boot licking, almost invisible Notts committee ?
Some may find they are out on their ear after the EGM .
If , as seems likely, the Notts committee voted for reduction to 12 from 14 then some may find that an E. M. G will be a difficult one all round .
As per the member's communication the general committee did support a reduction to 12 CC games per season. As voting on the EGM motions close before the meeting it seems to make the actual meeting rather academic. I suspect the results of the vote will be ignored by the club if they don't like the outcome. Hoping to be proved wrong - Kermit.
DeleteClub communication: "Mr Evans wishes to set out his rationale for calling the EGMs, and the club would also like to share its response. This information will be shared with you no later than Wednesday 20 August." Any vote by the GC on the Option C/D choices in this latest proposal ( as per article) would be in poor faith or even through spite before the September EGMs. Would Notts therefore have the courage to abstain from any vote?
Delete82 NOT OUT
ReplyDeleteI THINK WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER TO THE LAST QUESTION !
Some Clubs carry out Members wishes - some others do not .
I really hope Notts. Like Derbyshire vote with their members on the county championship. It will say alot.
ReplyDeleteWith a heavy heart, mine, Notts CEO and DOC ignore the members when making decisions.
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