Cut back counties and you’ve lost me

TWO great letters last week, from Les Wood and Steve Rodhouse about Charlotte Edward being treated so shabbily and the ECB watching the demise of two innings cricket.

On the future of Test cricket in England, the County Championship, 50over game and T20, Mr Graves and Mr Harrison seem to be the only ones allowed to put forward proposals. Unlike in 2013 there is no consultation with players or customers (also called county members and people who pay at the gate to see cricket).

The comments from Mr Graves seem to do immense harm and put forward a negative view of cricket that counties are trying to attract people to right now. He wants to attract nine million people into cricket. Well that would be marvellous if he can do it, what stadiums we will need! But you start with the regular customers and keep them happy and on board. Mr Graves either insults or ignores us.

I’m doubtful already about renewing my county membership due to the 2017 outline fixture structure. Any exclusion of any county, or any downgrading of any county or counties in T20 or other formats and I leave county cricket after 50 years. No county should go bust, the ECB is sitting on large funds to prevent this. If we lose one county we lose thousands of people, including youngsters, to the game.

Day/night county matches, better pre-promotion of the four-day and 50-over game online and in the media, yes. And play on BOTH Saturday and Sunday. Give people exciting cricket, yes, but also tell them how wonderful two innings cricket is. Play when people are able to attend and never use the word ‘mediocre’. RICHARD DAY Nottingham