Richardson Welcomes ECB Changes
19 October 2012
Gloucestershire Chief Executive Tom Richardson has welcomed changes to the format of the English domestic season from 2014 announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The ECB Board has agreed that for the period 2014 – 2017 the format of the domestic season should be as follows:
LV=County Championship – retained as two divisions of nine teams, with two teams promoted and relegated each season and the first 14 slots commencing on Sundays.
Friends Life t20 – 14 matches per county, mostly played on Friday evenings, with the top eight counties progressing to a quarter-final round and the retention of the popular FLt20 Finals Day format.
Clydesdale Bank 50 – a total of eight group matches per county, with eight teams progressing to a quarter-final round, and played in a format consistent with ICC approved international cricket of 50 overs per team.
Tom Richardson commented: “We are pleased with the ECB announcement and in particular with the changes to T20.
“We have long advocated an appointment to view for T20 and we see the 12-week period, with one match per week being the norm, as pragmatic and client-led, with over 25,000 people having been surveyed.
“Friday evenings will be excellent for these games especially as by 2014 we will have our new pavilion and new Mound Stand in place.
“We also welcome some weekend starts for LV County Championship matches and members will welcome the fact that there will be no reduction in the number of matches to be played, as well as the retention of a symmetrical competition.”
With more than 25,000 respondents, the County Research Study conducted by Populus reinforced the key findings of the Morgan Review. in particular the need to provide regular scheduling for County cricket.
The ECB Board noted the strong desire from counties and spectators to create an ‘appointment to view’ for T20 cricket spread over a longer period of the season.
There was no compelling preference from spectators for 40 over cricket rather than 50 over cricket and therefore the format from 2014 will replicate the 50 over format played by the national team.
Consistent with feedback from the players, there was a strong desire to retain the LV County Championship in two Divisions of nine teams.
ECB Chief Executive David Collier commented: “The research study conducted by Populus was the largest piece of market research ever conducted on County cricket.
“The results provided objective evidence for the Board concerning the preferences of spectators in support of the conclusions reached in the Morgan Review.
“The Board agreed with the views of spectators and players in retaining a 16 match LV County Championship which has proven very successful since its introduction in 2000.”
