Domestic cricket in England and Wales is constantly under threat from the ever interfering authorities.
The domestic leagues are the basis of our National team, this is where they learn and hone their skills. Their initial love for the game, one would assume, stems from spending a weekend in the sunshine watching their local county and one day hoping to emulate the players they are watching on the field.
It makes no sense then that this years fixtures for the County Championship have just two home matches being played over a weekend per side, the rest consigned to mid-week. This would indicate that the ECB feels the County Championship is the preserve of the retired and unemployed. Added to that the fact that half the games will be played out before the end of May – before the summer has really started. This is so that Twenty20 can take on a greater role.
I enjoy Twenty20 but our National side will not benefit if the players coming through are not learning a solid trade in the four day game – and if this is to be played out in front of empty stands, then who would want to be on the field?
Please sign this petition to demand that the ECB show a great deal more respect for the County Championship, its fans and players. Leave the Twenty20 to mid-week when families can turn up after work for a couple of hours and save the weekends for the four day game. Let the Championship's many fans be given the opportunity to watch their local team for two days of each four day match, rather than have to read the online reports the next day. Let the players score their runs, take their wickets and stunning catches in front of grateful crowds, rather than empty stands.
BRING BACK WEEKEND FIXTURES TO THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
The ECB should be ashamed of themselves. Just another example of the complete hash they make of running the game.