CMJ: Counties set to switch backing to two-division concept (11 August 1997)

Monday 11 August 1997

Counties set to switch backing to two-division concept

By Christopher Martin-Jenkins

THE idea of two divisions of the County Championship, bitterly opposed for so long by clubs who fear the rich will get richer and the poor poorer, may yet, ironically, be supported by some of the counties who were formerly against it. This could be the twist to the long tale of the reforms to county cricket which seemed finally to have been resolved by last week`s blueprint, Raising The Standard.

Most county committees still have to meet before reaching a decision on whether to vote through the proposals put forward by the England and Wales Cricket Board when the First Class Forum deliver their verdict on Sept 15. There is evidence, however, that the chief executives of Surrey, Warwickshire and Lancashire are contemplating a cohesive attempt to re- ject the three conference championship. A spokesman for one of the other wealthy clubs said yesterday: "Even the so-called smaller clubs are wondering what the interest will be in a play-off for 15th place in the final table, whether or not there is -L5,000 at stake."

Peter Anderson, of Somerset, is one chief executive who now feels that, provided four of the nine clubs in each di- vision were promoted or relegated every season, there would be sufficient ebb and flow for no one to languish in the depths for too long. Sussex`s Tony Pigott expressed the same personal view though he stressed that his chairman, Robin Mar- lar, remains opposed to two divisions and that the club still have to formulate an official reaction to the blueprint. "We are taking soundings from members and still have to discuss the proposals in committee," he said. "The important thing is that all the counties should agree on September 15 and then go forward together with the new format."

If there is sufficient agreement among counties to pro- pose an amendment to the conference plan, it is not impossible that the ECB might revise their plan. Any switch to a two divi- sion, 16-match championship would probably lead, however, to a counter-proposal to cut the 50-over National League from 25 matches to 16, perhaps with semi-finals and a final for the top four in the first division. Lord MacLaurin has invited a thorough debate on Raising The Standard and made it clear that he will not resign as ECB chairman if the published plan is not accepted in full.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/)