Red Ball Cricket 2020

[petemak]

I am more than a little disappointed, furious actually, that Gloucestershire are apparently one of four counties who are still against starting 4 day cricket. I note Colin Graves is allegedly lobbying in support of a 50 over competition.There has been no consultation with members. Apparently, there are concerns about the cost of staying in Covid safe hotels. For away games in Taunton, Cardiff and Worcester they can commute from home.

if these reports are true, those responsible should resign !

Peter Maksimczyk 

[procswrongfoot]

Whilst this particular topic has rather been overtaken by subsequent collective decisions, I could not resist commenting.

Somewhat think that I can be described as being an aging, cricket traditionalist (or some would call me a dinosaur or possibly something much more impolite !). Brought up on the delights of County Cricket, the longer format wiil always remain my personal favourite and I have been dismayed at seeing red ball cricket has become increasingly marginalised.

Accordingly, in normal circumstances, you would naturally expect me to have considerable empathy with the OP/Peter.

However, given the totally abnormal situation that we face, I am struggling to rationalise the financial implications (additional expenditure but no income), together with all the health considerations. Add in the various speculation of the potential need for 12 a side cricket, bowling substitutions and perhaps that matches would lack of first class status, then the new 4 day comp is becoming increasingly dubious to my mind.

Intriguingly, Hampshire ( the county with the most practical experience of the actual difficulties of trying to stage cricket at present) apparently hold the greatest reservations regarding the result of the majority vote.

Overall, I can fully understand the unease and reservations that my county had regarding approaching the actual vote on the proposals. According to the press, we were then one of four rebel counties potentially refusing to play, which if true, was a stance that I felt very uncomfortable about.

Anyway, despite reservations it was important to accept the majority decision and move on.

Finally, there seems to be plenty of people clamouring for spectators to be allowed to attend. Sorry to say, I feel most uneasy at the prospect, so count me out at the present time.