I think change is inevitable, the county game will not prosper for very long as is. It has been crying out for restructuring to improve the quality, reduce the number of games and as you say Statto, reduce the over-reliance on overseas or Kolpak players. I like the idea, and a reduction in the number of overseas players a) getting used to our first class playing conditions (doesn't happen in Australia, or anywhere else anywhere near as regularly) and b) providing a block to our best domestic talent developing under high quality competition is something that would be very, very good for our cricket. Reducing the number of games will also allow for proper rest, and the right number/length of practice and tour matches our players need to be in best shape for test cricket. The IPL may be the wake-up call our domestic first class, one-day and Twenty20 games need, and if we don't use it to move forward our game will fall behind.

And why not, if a reduction from 18 teams to 6 would allow, increase our first class games to 5 days? Australia don'y do it - why shouldn't we lead from the front again instead of inventing games and letting everyone else get and stay ahead of us in ideas?

This is an opportunity and a sensible, realistic, forward-looking suggestion to me, and bears no threat - indeed it is an opportunity to promote - to our four- and five-day cricket.