ECB to review funding deficit

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to commission a financial review of all 18 first-class counties. This action has been taken following criticism of disproportionate funding of clubs that stage Test cricket and those that do not, and a reported loss for major counties.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, David Morgan, the ECB chairman, said: "There is concern on the part of the non-Test match grounds and that is being addressed in this review. It will report within a six to eight month time frame, I would think."

The move was backed by Neil Davidson, Leicestershire's chairman. "It's got to be welcomed," Davidson said. "There is a view in certain counties that there is too much mystery surrounding revenues from Test match receipts. We need to get some clarity there and some fairness in the distribution system.

Davidson raised concern over the allocation of funds on the county circuit. "[Hampshire chairman] Rod Bransgrove has identified that there's as much as £40 million being raised and only £1.6 million going into general distribution of the funds," he said. "I don't know whether he's right or wrong but that's what the audit has to get to the bottom of."

Of the 18 first-class counties, only six - Durham, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Warwickshire and Yorkshire - take revenues from the sales of Test match tickets. Last season, Leicestershire suffered a £94,000 loss, while Derbyshire and Kent had six-figure deficits. Morgan's own club Glamorgan reported a £175,000 loss. However, it was recently announced that Cardiff would become a Test venue in 2009 when Australia return for the Ashes.