Surrey chief wants shorter Twenty20

Paul Sheldon, the Surrey chief executive, has criticised the 'frenetic' schedule in this season's Friend Provident t20 and has called for a reduced Twenty20 competition to be fit into a four-week window next year.

When it was launched in 2003 Twenty20 cricket proved a major hit with the public but this year's extended competition, which lasts 151 games, has come under fire from administrators as crowd numbers have fallen and Sheldon is the latest to express his disquiet.

"We have evidence that the number of matches in this year's competition has not increased interest," he said. "We are strongly in favour of creating an enhanced competition, in a concentrated period of three to four weeks, involving both England and overseas players."

It was not just the diminishing crowds that concerned Sheldon, he also feels that with each side playing so many games the schedule has become cramped and prevents players from preparing fully for their matches.

"The competition has been very frenetic with players dashing around the country in very very short order," he added. "At one stage, we played a four-day match against Derbyshire and then had to start an FPt20 match back at The Oval less than 24 hours later. The time for preparation has really been foreshortened.

"We are looking for a shorter, punchier competition. The quality needs to be stronger and the quantity fewer."