The Hundred, 18 counties and cost-cutting: New ECB chairman Ian Watmore outlines his vision

NICK HOWSON: Colin Graves' successor did not make any groundbreaking announcements on his first day in the hot seat and remains committed to seeing through the Inspiring Generations Strategy

• Watmore ratified as new ECB chairman
• Graves to step down as ECB chief

New ECB chairman Ian Watmore has thrown his support behind the 18-team first-class structure while outlining his vision for the future of English cricket.

Colin Graves' successor was speaking to the media for the first time since taking the reins and outlined his commitment to the Inspiring Generations Strategy, which includes The Hundred.

Graves signed off his extended tenure by suggesting the domestic game needs a radical overhaul and suggested some counties will have to consider not playing all formats.

But 62-year-old Watmore, a former Football Association chief-executive, believes all 18 counties have a vital role to play in the continued development of the sport - they will be “heavily” involved in talks regarding the schedule and the red-ball competition - whether they are a Test or Hundred venue or not.

“My personal position coming in is that there is a place for all of the counties,” he said. “There is long history and tradition that we need to build upon and retain. 

“Counties should be aspiring to playing all forms of cricket, developing England players of the future and having a nuanced strategy. Some might be Test match providers, others might be the regional hub for talent in the east of England. Each county can play its part in the future of English cricket as well as playing in the core tournaments. 

^{The Hundred remains at the forefront of the ECB's plans}

“But if the economics and performance standards don't allow that over a period of time, or individual counties decide that isn't what they want to do then that's a conversation but that's not where I'm coming from.”

With a £100 million black hole in the ECB coffers, thanks to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, cost-cutting, and scaling back while still delivering the Inspiring Generations Strategy is top of Watmore's intray.

Chief-executive Tom Harrison is leading a financial review and nothing is seemingly off the table, including a reduction of investment in The Hundred. Staff numbers will be cut while the priority thereafter is to trim a flabby balance sheet. Moving away their Lord's office could be among the considerations.

“We will start by attacking the costs that some people might regard as avoidable or duplicative,” he outlined. “That is the kind of efficiency to drive first. I am expecting there will be reductions in ECB staff numbers, which is inevitable given the financial position we're in.

“It is inevitable that we are going to have to reduce expenditure on the ECB itself going forward. I am always going to ask people to align with the Inspiring Generations Strategy. What's good for that is good to spend money on.

“A lot of companies are looking at their real estate and we will be doing the same. We need to look at how best we have a flexible operating model for the ECB going forward. It might mean more remote working, it might mean working around the country.

^{The ECB could yet leave their Lord's home}

“I don't regard anything as ring-fenced. The direction of travel is set. We need to plan next season very carefully. Clearly we're going to have to look at what is feasible and affordable and what will make maximum impact in the context of the summer of cricket.”

Watmore might be new to the ECB hot seat but it is clear he already shares his predecessor's enthusiasm for The Hundred. The ECB remain committed to launching the new competition in 2021 even with limited or no crowds.

A new tournament behind-closed-doors and perhaps without the same stellar overseas names which dominated the draft, therefore, remains a prospect. Bringing new eyes to cricket has always been high on the ECB's list of priorities, and Watmore wants the 100-ball showcase to be a “gateway” to the other formats.

“Having brought them to the game we want them to be signposted to the whole game, not just to consider The Hundred,” he explained. “That's the key, getting new people to the game and developing their interest in the whole game. 

“I don't think they're turned off by the other things [formats]. Among other sports and interests, they've not made the connection. It is so important that the connection is made by those who do reach the game through this route for the first time and they're shown the richness of the rest of the game. 

“Hopefully they're turned into passionate county fans and passionate England fans. It uses The Hundred as a gateway into the sport and exposes the rest of the sport to them.”

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