Katich takes Derbyshire captaincy (and Harvey signs as a British national)

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by cantplaycantalk

Said it before and will say it again, I think we need a regional level of Cricket on top of the county game.

That's already in place c/o the divisional structure: there's nothing wrong with the standard of cricket in the first division.

Oh.. and if I you want to propose a further tier why not think more along the lines of the top few clubs playing only away fixtures in the county championship (for double points) and being freed up to play in an exclusive annual "super-tournament" against England 'A' and two touring sides ('A' sides if need be): a tier above domestic cricket.. but retaining the same club focus that you get with top Premiership teams playing soccer in Europe.

[cantplaycantalk]

Because if your county isn't in the top tier you have no emotional buy in into the top tier.

A similar problem to the current issue of counties outside the first class ones, if you are from Cornwall who do you support?, how about Norfolk? Cumbria?Herefordshire?Cumberland?

[Rachael]

Why should parochial considerations be significant? Manchester United and Real Madrid have devotees all over the UK and all over the world: lack of proximity does NOT appear to be a barrier!

The counties have a history: even those of us with links to both sides of the pennines (descent / marriage) but no direct connection (having never lived anywhere near either county) appreciate the Roses rivalry... and anyone living outside of London and the SE can appreciate the edge of any game between (say) Surrey and Glouctershire, Middlesex and Glamorgan Essex and Worcestershire or Kent and Durham.

With that said... as far as I'm concerned, county cricket should be designed to cater for cricketers not for followers... and whilst the cash that comes from gate receipts, TV and the rest might be welcome... it's only a means to the greater ends of providing opportunities for 1st class cricket for as many players (domestic or overseas) as possible.

In short... proposals like "a reigional tier" need to be judged on the basis of what they offer the people who play the sport.

[cantplaycantalk]

I can't agree Rachel, if county cricket doesn't cater for the followers, otherwise known as the fans then what does it exist for?

Also there is a big difference between football clubs and cricket, where Machester United may have as many followers in Romford as they do in Manchester that isn't the same in cricket and it isn't uniform in football either. How many Bolton fans do you think you will find without strong roots in that area? How about Middlesbrough? Reading?
Same goes for most counties I think, people are largely tribal in their attitudes still, your town, your county, your area, your country, your area, your family. Tribes big and small, that people identify with. The fact is at the moment couties identify with a specific geographical boundary, and if you are outside of that you will always feel a little left out.

[KennyG]

You would have to be a test or near test level player to get a game in Australia if you are from o s.
Sean Ervine and Murrey Goodwin have good records for Zimbabwe but cannot get a game for Western Australia.
Australia has the toughest domestic compititions by a mile.
If Australian state teams played at test level they would be at very competive unlike other countries first class teams.

[EllN]

Doesnt a higher level of standard in county cricket, mean higher standard of english crcketer, we will never be able to match the aussies because their attitude to sport overall is so much better. We have managed to get 2nd best test team and we owe that a little to county cricket, so i welcome foreingers if it is going to make us a better nation, we could learn alot from them, especially the aussies, i recon durhum have alot to owe to mike hussey and sussex to mushy ahmed, and nottingham to stephen fleming shane warne to hamsire all will develop and assit youth players to futher their games.

[acker]

I thought Ian Harvey must have retired gracefully somewhere here in Australia.

Whos going to pop up next .... Boony