Peter Deeley: Lancashire lead the applause for new proposals (6 Aug 1997)

Wednesday 6 August 1997

Lancashire lead the applause for new proposals

By Peter Deeley

THE mood among the county representatives when they emerged from the Lord`s Banqueting Suite after their 70-minute briefing on Lord MacLaurin`s proposals was one of favourable surprise.

The bigger counties - mainly those with Test match grounds - appeared to give almost whole-hearted support: some smaller clubs were less eulogistic about the propositions in the blueprint Raising the Standard.

There seemed to be few reservations emanating from Lancashire. Their chairman, Bob Bennett, said: "I`m delighted with the report. It`s really a step forward for the game and we`re looking forward to its implementation in due course. Our county will be supporting the recommendations."

Bennett said the meeting of county representatives had shown "no animosity whatever" during the presentation by MacLaurin and Lamb - "which was brilliantly done. There was enormous warmth from the meeting for the work they have done."

Another of the major counties, Warwickshire, were similarly enthusiastic. Mike Smith, their chairman, said: "It`s all very impressive. I`m sure that basically everyone will support it.

"We`re very fortunate to have had someone of the calibre of Lord MacLaurin to lead the game at this stage. Person- ally, I shall be very surprised if all this doesn`t go through virtually nem con at the end."

Dennis Amiss, Edgbaston`s chief executive, added: "All this needs to sink in. But I feel it will raise the standards of the game and make it more competitive. Hopefully Warwickshire will be four-square behind the proposals.

"One thing the ECB haven`t come forward with is two County Championship divisions with promotion and relegation. We would have preferred that, and preferred it to come a little earlier but there will be more meaningful cricket from start to finish.

"Less county cricket means more quality and more mean- ingful games and Test players will hopefully be able to play a bigger part in the championship when they are not on call for their country."

Chris Hassell, Yorkshire`s chief executive, hoped that his county would back the recommendations. "I`m personally anxious to give the new board our full backing."

He admitted that the document was more radical than he had expected. "I never imagined the board would go for the conference idea but once you get into the detail of the proposals you can see much in their favour."

Hassell questioned whether the proposals would - as some of his county colleagues believe - actually lead to any sizeable diminution in the amount of county cricket played.

Some chief executives seemed more daunted by the volu- minous nature of the report they were carrying away than the contents. Peter Anderson, of Somerset, the first man out, said: "I`m feeling a bit shell-shocked."

Most county representatives said they needed time to absorb the proposals. Peter Edwards, the secretary-general manager of Essex, was one who refused to say anything. Essex are rumoured not to be totally happy with the intended shake-up but Edwards would say only: "I have no views at all. Nothing to say whatever."

Mark Arthur, who takes over as Nottinghamshire`s chief executive in October, said his club had taken a decision not to comment, "so I`m not allowed to speak on the report".

Anderson, Somerset`s chief executive, described the re- port as "a pretty impressive package. It was a very innovative presentation, with plenty of good ideas.

"We`ll now go away and discuss it. The reduction in county cricket worries me somewhat, the increase in one-day cricket appeals.

"Smaller clubs [of which Somerset are one] will be wor- ried about the funding level, however."

He said the proposals were not a fait accompli. "Lord MacLaurin and Tim Lamb have been very careful to emphasise that they want us to look at it and then come back in the next month with alternative suggestions or refinements if we wish."

From the neighbouring county of Gloucestershire, Philip August, the county`s cricket secretary, said: "I think it`s very early to give an impression. It`s very difficult to give a hasty view."

Mike Vockins, Worcestershire`s secretary, was non-committal. "It`s all very interesting but the club committee must first consider it in some detail. We are to hold a separate meeting and I`m also hoping to inform members of the main pro- posals through our county newsletter."

Tony Pigott, chief executive of Sussex, said his club would also be circulating members and seeking their views. "The reduction in four-day cricket is surprising since this is meant to be for the good of the Test game," said Pigott. "So cutting down the four-day game leaves something to be discussed."

He said he would be surprised if Sussex did not support most of the proposals.

But his chairman at Hove, Robin Marlar, was more cir- cumspect in his initial response. "Fundamentally, it was a magnificent production," he said. "As to whether or not it`s all for the better remains to be seen."

Marlar appeared to doubt whether counties could be selective, plumping for some proposals and rejecting others. "Is it to be all or nothing?" he asked.

Paul Sheldon, chief executive of Surrey, was generally enthusiastic. "Although a two-division championship was preferable to us, a three-conference scene and the merging of the Sunday league and B and H Cup certainly gives the appearance that we`ll be fighting for a lot longer in the season; therefore domestic cricket will become more competitive."

Micky Stewart, the former England player and manager who is about to retire as the ECB director of coaching and excellence, was particularly taken by the proposals for a change at the grass-roots level. "It will make for more meaningful cricket there and you should be able to identify talented players at an earlier stage."

From closer to the playing arena, Dav Whatmore, Lancashire`s coach, felt the proposed scrapping of the second eleven championship by the year 2000 was "not a bad idea".

He said: "Players can easily get lost in a county where the playing staff is a large one. With that change you`re going to have to perform if you want to get on to the staff."

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