@PT1079 all you need to understand is that it means ECB can commission any 1st class cricket in the Uk it damn well likes - and because its so cash rich and the counties (Surrey and maybe 1 or 2 others apart) are so damn poor they either go along with it (taking their £1.3m bribe) or go out of business - it really is as simple and depressing as that - agree George Dobell?

The Ireland ODI Squad is announced tomorrow according to Cally

@russell - agree to some extent. The "prize" (in terms of revenue increase) needs to be higher. I can't comment on the changes to Articles as that's not something I fully understand. Anyway, back to today - games are ON with these recent wickets!

The ECB think that the Big Bash is the perfect template. But the Big Bash is thinking of increasing it's teams to 10 in the next couple of years...what will the ECB do then?

Is this the year Lewis Gregory starts to truly fulfill his potential. He's been great so far!

If hants can get couple more before lunch, i would think they are favourites

A wicket just before the new ball is fantastic. A slim chance emerges.

@PT1079 its a completely different demographic in the UK to Oz where the overwhelming majority of people are already in cities and already 'cricket friendly' - because of the last decade of PPV cricket the fans have crystallised in their existing county pockets...only Surrey and Middlesex have successfully marketed T20 to their corporate client base on their doorstep - they do it by emphasizing the er...social aspect of a Thurs or Fri night in London town aimed at drinkers 1st and foremost...anyone attending these games will see that while the grounds may be full, 90% of the punters are treating it like a glorified beer garden...funnily enough i have no problem as well as no interest in this as currently it subsidises those of interested in the real sport...i.e those of us following CC on here... the massive problem i do have is the vote to change the Articles of Association which is basically transfering power from the counties to the ECB...they can do what they like with T20 but who's to say what they'll then start to do with CC....er lets copy the Sheffield Shield and just have 6 regions based at the traditional test grounds bookending the season...the other counties can become feeders i.e semi-pro or amateur...who knows they MAY get to keep their names but i'd soon get extremely bored watching Surrey v Yorkshire when i pine for the away trips to Colwyn Bay and Tunbridge Wells...and all this for £1.3m??????

If Somerset have 75 overs to chase this 295 target they'll have to go at 3.93 RPO. Could be perfectly poised, this

No Parry :(

Birmingham Veterans, Manchester Buttlers, Leeds Non Central Contracters, Southampton Springboks, Nottingham Grace Roaders, North London Lords, West Country Compromises and Surrey...sounds about right I think...

John is absolutely right that it has to be on free to air TV. No point in changing the structure if only 10% of people can watch it.

GAAARRRRRRRRRY!

@KartikeyaJunejanew As a Lancs fan, I think we need 50 more...

@PT1079 Thanks PT, I understand your argument and sorry for suggesting that made you insensible. I'm not sure where that casual audience will come from but good luck to the ECB in making it work :)

If the selectors learned anything with Compton, Ballance and to a lesser extent Vince is that picking guys out of form sets them up to fail so if Hameed doesn't get back into form I don't care if he is the reincarnated Bradman he doesn't get in for me.

I think lancs have got 50 bit too much

@Beth - Nemo has done a fine job of summarising my position. In my view it's fine to disassociate the T20 competition from the county structure, provided it has a big TV deal, large sponsorship and plenty of quality overseas players to make it a high standard. It should be focused on new fans, casual fans, families etc, and act as a revenue generator which creates a larger pot of wealth for redistribution across the counties. This will help counties to fund their 4 day cricket, and may lead more fans to the games. Focus it on urban areas for access to large numbers of crowds annd large stadia - hence the city focus