Ilott speaks out in support of the PCA

There appears to be support from players up and down the country to the Professional Cricketers Association's decision to send a letter to the ECB outlining their lack of confidence in the board.

Mark Ilott issued a stark warning to the board via the pages of his web site MarkIlot.com. The Essex and former England seamer suggests that all professional players in this country are determined and united to fight any move that may threaten their livelihood.

"Personally, I'm not the striking type - bit if my union has given a vote of no confidence then I'll support it. We are one, we are strong!"

He also suggested that a reduction in the amount of money given by the board to the counties may lead to some of them going out of business:

"The ECB may well see a few counties going bankrupt in the next few years - this would alleviate their problems somewhat and we would be getting closer to the Australian first-class system!!"

The ECB deny any financial mismanagement and dispute the fact that the counties will necessarily have to suffer a reduction in income next season.