Right call made over 2010 Domestic One-Day league
Friday, August 14th, 2009The plan to hold a Sunday League next season where a match consists of two innings of 20 overs per side has thankfully been scrapped. Having also consigned the ‘P20′ to the scrap heap, the ECB, after pressure from the counties, the national side and probably a few human rights lawyers have realised the importance of one day matches in the cricketing world. It was announced that a 50 overs per side league would replace the Friend’s Provident Trophy and the Pro40 so as to align the domestic structure fully with that of the International calendar. These matches will take place on Sundays during April, May, August and September as they sandwich the expanded 20/20 during June and July.
My personal preference would have been for a 40 over competition rather than a fifty over one. Therefore, matches could start early afternoon rather than mid morning, and the Pro40 tends to attract the larger crowds than the current 50 over tournament. However, the ECB have made their decision, and have made the shrewd move of inviting the Dutch to compete alongside the 18 counties plus Ireland and Scotland. There will be 3 conferences with seven teams in each. My guess is that the top two from each conference plus the two best third placed teams will enter the quarter finals. The semi finals and final at least will be competed in September, which raises concerns over both attendances and weather.
Overall though, the ECB have succeeded in two large respects. Firstly, they have refrained from sending 20/20 into overkill, whilst providing a welcome change in format length. Provided the new Sunday League can be marketed properly, then Clarke and chums are onto a winner. Something I’ve not said for quite a while.