Nixon: Championship format needs changing
The County Championship is back this weekend, and no doubt the players will be chomping at the bit for it to return. It was such a strong start to the season with record numbers listening on the radio and everyone seemed more interested in the four-day game after the excitement that came at the end of last season.
It’s a bit of a derby weekend with the Roses clash and Surrey taking on Middlesex. There have been some great games so far and these will surely live up to the expectations, too. Middlesex have been so consistent over the past couple of years while Surrey have probably underachieved over the past few years in the longer forms.
That these are derby games will mean more to the fans than it will the players. They’re brilliant to play in, though. I played for Kent against Surrey and that was a big derby, while Kent’s clashes with Essex always had a bit extra riding on them.
You get good pitches down south and batsmen want to get in and make the most of it but the weather has been a bit hit and miss, which is frustrating.
That weather has made the end of the One-Day Cup a bit of a damp squib, ignore the pun. We wanted the block format but it’s going to take time to get it right.
Playing one-day cricket so early in the season is probably not the best and the toss of the coin becomes even more important. At this time of the year the conditions play a massive part, and we have not had many super tight games.
It’s hard to fit everything in, though. This is an extra long summer and we are still struggling to get it all in. The first place I would look at, though, is playing fewer four-day games.
I’d have three divisions of seven, and that way you can get the Unicorns, Ireland and maybe Scotland involved, too. That would mean just 12 games per season, which would be perfect.
There’d be more to play for, too. More relegation battles and promotion clashes. You could even have a play-off where the second-placed team from Division Two plays sixth-placed from Division One for a place into the top tier. That would leave much more space in the calendar to fit in
I would look at playing fewer four-day games – three divisions of seven and 12 matches, that would be perfect
the limited overs games without the fear of overkill.
Of course, we’re not helped by the Champions Trophy this season, with the One-Day Cup wanting to be played before that tournament to get the 50- over vibe going. As it is, that’s the OneDay Cup done for a number of teams, and the majority of some players’ seasons all but complete. There are some who thrive with the white ball but they need to make sure they take this form and opportunity to push for a place in the Championship side. David Willey always starred with the white ball and that earned him a move, and he’s now playing regularly in Yorkshire’s Championship side.
That’s the motivation. The door is never shut and you can keep training and pushing for a spot. Fifty overs is a long time to bat and ten overs is enough to show your worth. If you can do it there, there’s no reason why you can’t perform in a longer format.
Clubs can’t afford to leave out players in form.You have to state your case when you can. While the format may change, you’re still only 22 yards away from a batsmen or you’ve still got a bat in your hand. Just make sure you grab your chance with both hands when it comes.