The ongoing ECB high-performance review has been assessing where structural changes are required in the English domestic game, in an effort to narrow the gap between county cricket and the international arena
The County Championship fixture list is set to remain at 14 fixtures per side in 2023.
The ongoing high-performance review has been assessing where structural changes are required in the English domestic game, in an effort to narrow the gap between county cricket and the international arena.
As part of the review, a reduction of the number of red-ball games is believed to have been under discussion, but such a course of action is highly unlikely to be implemented next season, as the ECB seeks to give counties the opportunity to further consult with players, members and other key stakeholders.
It has not yet been determined how those 14 fixtures will be split in terms of divisions, with counties ultimately having the final say in the makeup of the competition.
Sir Andrew Strauss, who is leading the panel, wrote in an ECB blog: "It will be important the first-class counties have the appropriate time to consider the final recommendations and to properly engage with their stakeholders. The First-Class County Chairs Representative Board has therefore proposed the 2023 LV= Insurance County Championship remains at 14 matches for each county.
The County Championship will stay at 14 fixtures in 2023 [Getty Images]
"This will allow more time for the debate about the best long-term structure from 2024 onwards to take place."
The suggestion that the Championship calendar could be cut was met with considerable resistance among pockets of members across the country, with several thousand signing a petition opposing a reduction.
How the 2024 competition - and the rest of the calendar - is structured remains unclear, however. The ECB released research and initial findings on Friday, compiled in association with the sports intelligence agency Twenty First Group, which indicate the high-performance review's preferred direction is to reduce the number of teams in the top division of the Championship, in an effort to create a "best versus best" scenario.
"The analysis tells us that English players struggle more than players from other countries to transition from domestic to international cricket, how domestic spinners get less opportunities than in other countries and how overseas first-class experience is beneficial to Test cricketers," Strauss wrote.
"Whilst I recognise debates over our domestic structures are impassioned and will attract a lot of discussion, our review and proposals are much broader."
Further suggestions from the review panel include an increased emphasis on England Lions as a pathway to the senior side, with an 80 per cent focus on red-ball cricket, and 20 per cent on 50-over cricket.
Sir Andrew Strauss leads the ECB high-performance review [Getty Images]
The opportunity for county players to play overseas prior to an international call-up is also addressed, with a return of a pre-season North v South series - probably in the UAE - on the table for consideration, so to is a "best possible quality" 50-over competition in April, and the suggestion of playing red-ball cricket alongside The Hundred in August.
Further options for discussion - which the ECB research document describes as "emerging ideas" - include the introduction of a bonus-points system relating to the quality of pitches produced by counties for first-team competitions, and a formal compensation arrangement to reward those counties who nurture elite talent.
None of these ideas are set in stone, and the review will now consult with the 18 first-class counties and the Professional Cricketers' Association ahead of presenting a formal proposal for a vote on September 20. The review will also analyse the findings of the Cricket Supporters' Association's annual survey.
"We have made our initial proposals and findings and now it will be for the first-class counties to make any decisions over domestic structures – all we can do is provide them with informed recommendations," Strauss wrote.
"We want a thriving and future-proofed men's domestic game, in which all 18 first-class counties are established at the heart of our ambitions."
More follows
Posted by Peter Roberts on 29/09/2023 at 19:33
Why do the teams in division one of the County Championship only play 14 matches in their season when there are 10 teams in the division> How are each team's 14 matches determined?
Posted by Tony O'Mahony on 04/03/2023 at 15:41
How about three ranked divisions of 7/6/5. With Divisions 1 & 3 playing round robins and Div 2 (no round robin) playing teams all 'inter-division' opponents instead, this provides a 12-match season for most counties (14 in Div 3). Two up/two down. What do you think? What
Posted by mal barlow on 23/02/2023 at 18:26
i am sick of all this meddling by rich counties, i think they should play 16 first classgames , at least there is some logic ,the idea isclearly to have a quasi franchise cricket , and as a derbyshire man we will become afeeder team , dont the Ecb have any concept of the history of the game , it is complete nonsense to say in england they find it difficult stepping up!
Posted by Stephen Hodgkinson on 18/11/2022 at 22:15
Strauss and key clear off just go away, a good batch of players comes in cycles you can't manipulate it . Their is no magic system If theirs a system why don't the west indies reproduce four great fast bowlers again ? Central contracts were supposed to solve everything. Great players come along in their own time .
Posted by Marc Evans on 30/08/2022 at 00:11
Good to see that the ECB is at last making some sort of concession to the rising groundswell of discontent surrounding the recent marginalising of the county championship, even if it's only time for consultation. It's a step in the right direction. We have the Hundred till 2028 whatever and with Stokes' public support of the present championship structure it does highlight the division.
Posted by Irene WIckenden on 29/08/2022 at 11:01
If we want to compete in test matches we have to keep the 4day county games going. We should also push T20 and the useless 100 to the beginning and end of the season. So many 4 day matches in April and May are rained off! Surely the shorter format which doesn't take as much time, is better suited to the likelyhood of bad weather! I love watching County games but the weather is generally rubbish!
Posted by Christopher Sharp on 27/08/2022 at 21:44
Helleo I.think it's a good idea to keep the 14 county matches in I think the counties should play more matches perhaps they should go back to 3 day matches
Posted by Leslie Bone on 27/08/2022 at 19:15
If the number of counties is reduced further in the top division then two things at least will happen: one that the top players will migrate further to these counties and second some counties will cease playing championship cricket. I continue to think that this is what the ECB want despite denials. This review is another damp squib putting decisions down the line. So much was expected of it. We know the ECB is not fit for purpose at present. The new Chairman has a mammoth task.
Posted by Trish Garrard on 27/08/2022 at 17:05
So Mr Key is suggesting that the immovable 💯 is the best cricket being played by the best players playing each other , no it is isn’t ! Not one word Of that statement is true ! And if he is suggesting ( like I think he is On the sky interview) that they want players getting Red Ball cricket under their belt during August , they are not by his definition going to be the best players , because they are already being touted in the 💯 🤷♀️ CC played during the 💯 would be a waste of time
Posted by Chris Coke on 27/08/2022 at 14:52
Just heard Rob Key being interviewed by Mike Atherton on TV. He indicated that he would listen to those concerned including county members but then said the future is " The Hundred" which also brings in good revenue. I am hugely impressed by all those trying to save the game as we know it like Annie Chave but I fear it will fall on deaf ears. As Jacqueline Stringer says Strauss & Key should remember how they got to their positions in the game !
Posted by Stuart Greaves on 26/08/2022 at 22:55
Look no further than Joe Root batting technique but he bats at no 4 Opening is a different ball game,
Posted by Marc Evans on 26/08/2022 at 22:15
It seems the ECB is mindful of the fact that county members are starting to put together active protests to their committees regarding the future make up of the county game. Whether these will catch on enough to make a difference is debatable but at least this gives a chance for views to be aired before decisions are made.
Posted by Tim Walton on 26/08/2022 at 18:39
Some counties, including Lancashire, I believe, have mandated their counties to put the vote to the members of each county. If the members say no then those counties will have no choice but to reject the proposals. THIS IS THE ONLY FAIR WAY OF DOING IT.
Posted by Jacqueline Stringer on 26/08/2022 at 16:42
The ECB will do what ever they want. The fact that they are targeting county cricket and one day games is ludicrous Firstly, those people like Strauss- and Key need to remember how they got to their current position. Then remember who people who pay to see cricket. I am a life member with Essex, so my investment is likely to see diminished returns in games. Where will be the incentive for annual or new members. But perhaps that's the point, to undermine county cricket financially and then blame it for not succeeding 100% of the time.
Posted by rachel knights on 26/08/2022 at 16:06
just scrap the unwanted and unlike 100 and put the 20/20 in thewre with 4 day games but then strauss want get his kick back as sponsor of the 100
Posted by Nigel Lyddon on 26/08/2022 at 11:20
I agree totally about compensation for counties that produce young players and keeping all 18 counties, but coming from the West Country very little live cricket to watch recently I hope this is addressed.
Posted by chris.coke on 26/08/2022 at 10:51
The key is what the governing body ( ECB) wants the game of cricket to look like in the long-term. Does it wish the game to be solely the shortened version ( hundred and 20/20) where the bowlers are cannon fodder and only have to bowl a very limited amount of overs and the pay is very lucrative. Increasingly like Boult more bowlers are turning solely to the limited version of the game. If this happens Test Matches will eventually wither and die.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.