Anderson raps moves to hijack tourist matches

Somerset Chief executive Peter Anderson recently attended a meeting of the First Class Cricket Forum at Lord's, where one of the subjects debated was whether regional sides should be selected to play against touring sides.

Anderson told me: "A view has been expressed by the England selectors that they would like to hijack games against the tourists to stage Test Match trials."

The subject had been raised by Leicestershire who had been criticised for putting out a considerably weakened side against Pakistan.

Previously there has been a ruling by the old Test and County Cricket Board stating that if a county fielded a weakened side they would forfeit their fixture against the tourists the following season.

Anderson said: "It was interesting to note that during the debate the vote was split between Test Match Grounds (TMG) and Non Test Match Grounds (NTMG). TMGs are likely to want to play less Championship Cricket because it is a loss leader, and they want to make more room in the fixture list to play one-day cricket and short form cricket. Since TMGs are city-based clubs, they probably see this as the way forward."

The Chief Executive went on: "NTMG's are based on a more rural population, and regard matches against the tourists as their Test Matches for the following reasons: 1 - It is the chance for their members and supporters to see the tourists live; 2 - it is a chance for unknown players to shine against them; 3 - it is a chance to make some money, and compensate for not staging internationals.

"Somerset are not against counties getting together if they wish on a voluntary basis - that's a matter for them to decide - but as far as we are concerned we want to retain our fixture."

He went on: "Somerset County Cricket Club feel that all proposals to stage regional cricket must be opposed if counties are going to retain their identity. A balance has to be struck between England needs and county needs."

Anderson then explained what he felt was currently required in cricket, saying: "What the domestic game needs is leadership and I would like to think that if Marcus Trescothick does become England captain he will support his fellow professionals in seeking to make themselves better, rather than denegrating the game which is the current trend.

"It's very interesting to note that every time the county game is denigrated as an excuse for poor performances, the Professional Cricketers' Association, who represent the players, remain largely silent."