City v county: decision time for English cricket

Lord’s has hosted many memorable encounters over the years, but Wednesday’s meeting between the counties and the ECB executive promises to rival the best of them for ferocity and, in its way, significance.

The chairmen and chief executives of all 18 counties and the MCC are meeting to discuss their options for the future shape of the domestic T20 competition in England and Wales. It is no exaggeration to state that the conclusions reached could amount to the most significant changes to the face of England cricket since the introduction of limited-overs cricket in 1963 or the birth of professional T20 cricket in 2003.

On one side you have those who insist a new T20 tournament featuring eight city-based teams is essential if cricket is to recapture the interest of the general public. On the other, you have those who warn that such a move will marginalise several first-class counties and further decrease the visibility of the game in the market towns and small cities where it is still relevant.

The issue of free-to-air broadcasting and the value of potential broadcast deals will also be relevant. Some counties are incredulous at the difference in value placed on the options by the ECB’s ‘independent’ broadcast analysts. Some insist that free-to-air is essential if the game is to return to relevance in the public consciousness.

It seems unlikely the consensus the ECB executive seeks will be reached today. They were hoping to agree one of the five options they set before the counties a few weeks ago with a view taking it to the ECB …

continue reading in source www.espncricinfo.com