ECB faces research problems

The ECB is facing embarrassment over trying to conduct market research during Twenty20 matches, after some counties refused to allow it to take place unless they see the questions, according to a report in the Birmingham Post.

The research is aimed at gauging the public's opinion on the direction that the domestic game, especially, should take with the explosion of Twenty20. County cricket is set to be restructured from 2010 onwards, with the likely creation of an English Premier League, possibly in the form of an expanded Twenty20 Cup or as an additional tournament.

However, their are concerns that the research will be skewed because it is only being undertaken at Twenty20 matches and not across all county competitions.

This is only likely to increase tensions between counties and the ECB. The Twenty20 Cup began with teams in the dark about the impact of fielding Indian Cricket League (ICL) players should they reach the Champions League, which was announced over the weekend.

The ECB have said it is down to the counties to field who they want and that everyone will have to wait for Cricket Australia to come up with the regulations. Lalit Modi has warned that teams fielding ICL players will be disqualified.