DeltaAlpha wrote:What I don't see, ENo7, is what negative effect it has. It's not keeping anyone more worthy out as far as I can see, and any effect on county players' figures isn't likely to be greatly significant - that is, if you think they're significant in the first place - and all will be similarly affected anyway.
Take Nick Compton for example. He averaged 37 before the University match, after 1 innings of 236 against the Uni side, his average is up to 39. You can see how his average will keep building up nearly every time he plays against a Uni side. Instead of averaging 40 at the end of his career, it might be 45 instead.
For a country that wants Test status, they have to show consistent performances over a period of time. The same logic should apply to teams who want first class status. Out of the 4 new Uni's with first class status, only Loughborough have done that. The other 3 have been average performers which is why they usually get thrashed when they play county sides because they aren't actually that good at their own level never mind an even higher level.