Latest competition

By Barmy Kev
March 31 2016

I have had some inside information about an ICC initiative to promote flagging interest in red ball cricket. A global 4 day cricket Champions League competition I kid you not. 

This will start off on a two way basis between our County Champions  playing Sheffield Shield champions in a play off to earn the right to win the Champions League. This will be played over two legs home and away 1st innings at home and 2nd away with a total 4 days worth of cricket deadline. In an event of a draw  bonus points for game will decide the winner. If these are equal there will be a super over with toss for home or away advantage and players having to wear their  one day kits for this part Due to seasonal weather issues there maybe up to maybe up to 4 months between innings. Imagine the scenario 4 months to decide on whether to enforce the follow on.  Adam Voges told me he is not sure what will happen if he is contracted to Western Australia in winter and Middlesex in summer and may have to play for both sides for each innings. 

If this is successful they will look into expanding this to all ICC affiliated countries. Also they are considering having 2nd placed maybe 3rd and 4th  teams included as an added incentive during the domestic season. Then we can have an all year round Champions League jamboree. BT Sport will offer exclusive TV rights , the list of potential sponsorship is endless. This is sure to be a money spinner,  I think. 

I asked our ex Chief I Luv It who now has ECB ties what he thinks? He says we have reduced Div 1 County  Championship to 14 games and restructured the whole format of the county game.  In comparison this idea does not seem as foolish as it may seem.