: Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:11 pm  

Worcestershire wicketkeeper Steven Davies joins Surrey on a 3 year contract: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket ... 220287.stm

Worcestershire wicketkeeper Steven Davies joins Surrey on a 3 year contract: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket ... 220287.stm

: Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:36 am  

The ECB have announced next season's domestic structure. # LV= County Championship has been given priority in the fixture programme and has been confirmed as a two-division competition of 8 home and 8 away matches from 2010 - 2013. # The enhanced Twenty20 competition will be played in pools of 9 teams (8 home and 8 away) on a geographic basis (North v South) with the top four teams qualifying for the Quarter Finals from each pool from 2010 - 2013. # The domestic limited over competition will be played mainly on Sunday afternoon throughout the season consisting of 3 pools of 7 teams with 6 home and 6 away matches progressing to a Semi Final and Final in September. The powerplays and fielding restrictions will be the same as per International cricket but the match will be played over 40 overs. http://www.lccc.co.uk/index.php?p=news&id=3177 (Apologies to the Yorkies for having to go onto our site. ) I think that's alright myself.

The ECB have announced next season's domestic structure. # LV= County Championship has been given priority in the fixture programme and has been confirmed as a two-division competition of 8 home and 8 away matches from 2010 - 2013. # The enhanced Twenty20 competition will be played in pools of 9 teams (8 home and 8 away) on a geographic basis (North v South) with the top four teams qualifying for the Quarter Finals from each pool from 2010 - 2013. # The domestic limited over competition will be played mainly on Sunday afternoon throughout the season consisting of 3 pools of 7 teams with 6 home and 6 away matches progressing to a Semi Final and Final in September. The powerplays and fielding restrictions will be the same as per International cricket but the match will be played over 40 overs. http://www.lccc.co.uk/index.php?p=news&id=3177 (Apologies to the Yorkies for having to go onto our site. ) I think that's alright myself.

: Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:38 am  

My problem with that structure is that it eliminates 50 over cricket from the programme. Given that's the length of games in the international arena, I would prefer to see that replicated at county level, rather than the 40 over competition they've gone with.

: Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:43 am  

Lord_Percy wrote:

My problem with that structure is that it eliminates 50 over cricket from the programme. Given that's the length of games in the international arena, I would prefer to see that replicated at county level, rather than the 40 over competition they've gone with.

I agree with you on that front...if they are copying international cricket re the powerplays, field restrictions etc then why is it 40 overs and not 50??
Other than that, seems OK to me.

And the pink ball that is being trialled looked excellent on the telly last night...pink is the new red and/or white!!

[Matt_Horton]

: Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:43 am  

3 pools of 7?

Who are the extra 3 teams? Ireland, Scotland and ??????

: Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:48 am  

Oldham Rhino wrote:

3 pools of 7?

Who are the extra 3 teams? Ireland, Scotland and ??????

Netherlands??

: Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:07 am  

Lord_Percy wrote:

My problem with that structure is that it eliminates 50 over cricket from the programme. Given that's the length of games in the international arena, I would prefer to see that replicated at county level, rather than the 40 over competition they've gone with.

The reasoning is that a) South Africa don't play 50 over cricket domestically and they're currently the best ODI side in the world and b) the ICC are reviewing the future of 50 over cricket after the 2011 World Cup anyway.

I'd prefer 50 over cricket myself over 40, but I can see why they've done it. I know someone who wouldn't take her grandchildren to 20 over cricket because of the crowds it's attracting, nor 50 over cricket because it was a bit too long for them. For her, 40 overs is perfect for a family day out. I'd imagine a lot of people are the same, so it does make sense in that respect - it's a much better way of getting people interested in the game that Twentyfucking20.

: Thu Aug 27, 2009 1:56 pm  

Looks like the wicket has flattened out nicely at Scarborough, Warwickshire making batting look very easy indeed.

: Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:43 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

Looks like the wicket has flattened out nicely at Scarborough, Warwickshire making batting look very easy indeed.

Have you told the Yorkshire lads?

: Thu Aug 27, 2009 5:36 pm  

OrdsallRed wrote:

I agree with you on that front...if they are copying international cricket re the powerplays, field restrictions etc then why is it 40 overs and not 50??
Other than that, seems OK to me.

And the pink ball that is being trialled looked excellent on the telly last night...pink is the new red and/or white!!

The 50 over game is doomed I feel, can see ODIs chopping 10 overs off after 2011. 40 overs is OK, long enough so some proper tactical cricket can be played, but short enough to ensure quickish runs (typically a run a ball) to be scored to keep it watchable.