GEORGE DOBELL: The prospect of expanding The Hundred could lead counties into dangerous levels of expenditure
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Posted by Will Hinch on 14/02/2025 at 19:11
Respect George's opinion but have always disagreed with him on the hundred. The way I see it, in a world without the hundred the counties would have been at greater risk, not lesser. With diminishing returns on bilateral cricket, clubs unable to invest due to debt repayments and lack of income, and players rejecting county contracts to play abroad, the system as it was would not have been able to sustain itself. The game needed refinancing and, despite many not liking it, needed to move with the times. Absolutely accept all his points on money being spent wisely. You have to hope counties are able to invest in ways that diversify their business models and make them more viable in the long-term. Granted hope is doing some heavy lifting there!
Posted by Lloyd Birch on 14/02/2025 at 19:10
Time we got rid of this "Mickey Mouse" cricket. Free up the calendar. This is too damaging to county cricket. People should boycott it. This is the tip of the iceberg. Be warned.
Posted by Steve Harris on 14/02/2025 at 11:15
Fair assessment I’d say. I never thought the franchises would command this sort of money. The point missing above perhaps is that having spent all this money, the franchise owners are going to have to spend much more to beat off competition from other franchise competitions. Huge wage increases are required surely. Nobody is going to watch a 3rd rate tournament, which is what it currently is. I will continue to boycott it because of the damage it has done to and will continue to do to counties and the county game that I love. I can never care who wins a franchise competition. It’s sport without purpose.
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