I have no idea if there will be any cricket this summer, any more than the rest of you.
Our best chance is if the silly idiots who insist on meeting up and carrying on as normal toe the party line and do what they are asked. The horrific Covid 19 is sweeping the globe and any risk, for any sport, is simply not acceptable.
I hope that we all come through the other side relatively unscathed and apart from a dog walk per day I haven't left the house and garden for over two weeks. Whether that is enough, time will tell.
This week has seen various reports in the media. One said that there would be no cricket this summer, another that the ECB has four fixture options on the go, depending on what time is available when the all-clear is sounded.
For what it is worth, I think the biggest mistake they could make would be to try and launch the new competition this summer. Yes, the lack of cricket might enhance the appeal, somewhat akin to the Victory Tests at the end of the last war, yet it would do much less for the supporters than the Vitality Blast, and considerably less for the coffers of the various clubs.
I have seen suggestions that they will play the new competition and the Blast, given time, but see that as a non-starter. For one thing, it would annoy the traditionalists who have supported the game for many years. I know that the four-day game is the least lucrative, but it prepares players for the greatest format of all, Test cricket, and is still the version for the aesthete and connoisseur. I love the cut and thrust of the format, plus it also gives me the best value in travelling a long way to see cricket.
It would also mean that the many players who are not selected for T20 will play no cricket this summer. One would assume that the Professional Cricketers Association have already made their thoughts clear on that one, with some players picking up two salaries for the summer and others perhaps only a reduced one.
Better might be scrapping four-day cricket for one season only and playing two three-day games in a week, with a day in between. If the counties were split into two, or even three groups, you wouldn't need too many weeks to have sections and perhaps then a final. It would be tiring for players, but you would be talking a season of perhaps only two months, when they haven't played in over a year in most cases. It would likely have to be played without overseas players, as I would be surprised if international travel resumed so quickly, but would give something to the loyal fans who have been there for years.
I suspect the Vitality Blast would set new attendance records, were it to go ahead. I share the bullish attitude of Dave Houghton, in that we have a real side coming together with genuine prospects of success. Mind you, the Aussie overseas would have given us an edge this year, so that might temper things slightly.
Of course, it could all be academic and we may have to wait another twelve months for county cricket.
Patience is key.
Obviously the most important thing is that everyone stays safe and well, but I agree that the cc could be cancelled in name and as you say split into 3 groups, Durham Lancs,Yorks, Derby, notts, leic in one, northants, Warwick, worc, glouc, Somerset, glam, in 2nd and other 6 in group 3, this would limit travel, and mix Div 1 & div2 teams Dependant on when season could start but everyone in each group play each other at least once, as you suggest 3 day games, may be 1st innings restricted to max 85 overs, with 100 in the day, and each group winner gets a prize (e.g. paid for pre season tour to say barbados for a round robin with may be a local Barbadian team). The fineries of home and away would have to be done away with in such uncharted times. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI don't think we will get even close to this, Opening Bat.
DeleteHope I am wrong but if we get any cricket at all it will be T20. I don't see anything else and doubt it will be anything but streamed if it takes place
I think with all the uncertainly around a possible exit strategy about allowing people to gather in large crowds, we are unlikely to see any cricket until August at the earliest. I think we will see a shorter T20 Blast competition. These matches could be played behind closed doors. I hope I am wrong, but we are unlikely to see any other domestic county competition this year. It is a great shame, but we have to prioritise the health of people and supporting the NHS during this difficult year.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Punjabi Falcon. And all desperately sad
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI discovered this artcle last night..it's worth a read.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2020/04/06/county-file-derbyshire-unfashionable-county-deserve-survive/
The whole series might be worth reading
It is a good piece, though sadly failing to mention our Finals Day appearance last year.
DeleteHoping everyone is keeping safe and well.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought about a possible solution to the County Championship fixtures issue this yeat. If, as seems likely, we can only fit in 4 or 5 games in September, allowing the Big Bash and 100 to proceed in some form which I think will be necessary financially, why not run a full 18 team competion over this and next season. 17 games per side, then the top 10 form div 1 in 2022. Probably too radical, but at least every game would be relevant, the fixture list would be balanced, and the handful of games played this season would have importance. You can't decide championships/relegation credibly over half a dozen games; neither are 5 or 6 friendlies feasible.
It might work if the restart comes in, say, late July. The Bash might have to be trimmed to 10 games and the RL 50 dropped this year.
It is a decent idea, Phil. But I don't see any further tinkering with the game and it will be perhaps a T20 knockout at most.
DeleteAnd that likely behind closed doors...