Post by procswrongfoot on Feb 16, 2012 11:15:29 GMT
Interesting.....it now transpires that Somerset have been planning for some time to get ECB approval to host one day internationals. In the next few months Taunton is being inspected to confirm that it meets the necessary criteria. (Excuse my ignorance, but I always thought that the relatively short straight boundaries at Taunton did not meet ICC minimum requirement. I am obviously misguided on this.)
I can only assume that we were unaware of what was going on elsewhere. So my reading of this is that even if our planning application had been successful, any one day international crumbs allocated to the West Country in the future would be merely shared with our neighbours down the road. Thanks ECB....sure you must be proud of your bidding process to host international matches!!!
In my opinion, Somerset have seemingly operated on a simplistic strategic approach:
1. Plough significant resources into having a successful and entertaining side.
2. Gradually continue to develop Taunton via a 10 year Ground Development Plan.
The results of their clear sighted administration:
1. A competitive and entertaining side in all formats of the game.
2. 10,000 (permanent seat) capacity at Taunton.
3. Operating profit of £408,000 for 2011.
4. Chris Gayle and Albie Morkel added to their already formidable batting line up for the 2012 T20 campaign. No doubt continuing capacity gates for the T20 at Taunton, swelled as always by the many hundreds who regularly travel down from the Bristol region for their cricket entertainment.
Add in a live Elton John concert in June, plus the future prospect of staging one day internationals and it is easy to conclude that Somerset seem to be the epitome of a very well run club built on sound financial foundations.
Compare that to the 'all eggs in one basket', let's gamble on our future approach, without any apparent logical contingency planning.
Historically, Somerset have always been one of our main rivals and it is really painfull to see our two clubs continue to rapidily go in opposite directions. If we have a future then seemingly it is to be a feeder club for the likes of Somerset. Very sad indeed.
I can only assume that we were unaware of what was going on elsewhere. So my reading of this is that even if our planning application had been successful, any one day international crumbs allocated to the West Country in the future would be merely shared with our neighbours down the road. Thanks ECB....sure you must be proud of your bidding process to host international matches!!!
In my opinion, Somerset have seemingly operated on a simplistic strategic approach:
1. Plough significant resources into having a successful and entertaining side.
2. Gradually continue to develop Taunton via a 10 year Ground Development Plan.
The results of their clear sighted administration:
1. A competitive and entertaining side in all formats of the game.
2. 10,000 (permanent seat) capacity at Taunton.
3. Operating profit of £408,000 for 2011.
4. Chris Gayle and Albie Morkel added to their already formidable batting line up for the 2012 T20 campaign. No doubt continuing capacity gates for the T20 at Taunton, swelled as always by the many hundreds who regularly travel down from the Bristol region for their cricket entertainment.
Add in a live Elton John concert in June, plus the future prospect of staging one day internationals and it is easy to conclude that Somerset seem to be the epitome of a very well run club built on sound financial foundations.
Compare that to the 'all eggs in one basket', let's gamble on our future approach, without any apparent logical contingency planning.
Historically, Somerset have always been one of our main rivals and it is really painfull to see our two clubs continue to rapidily go in opposite directions. If we have a future then seemingly it is to be a feeder club for the likes of Somerset. Very sad indeed.