It's cricket for football fans and to get them into the game though really diceman/crouchback isn't it? As T20 has done to some extent.
The last thing they are going for here really is people tribally supporting a team; it's the above plus also designed to appeal to the night out crowd (be that families or City workers etc.).
I'm a purist as well when it comes to cricket and will have limited interest as well but it's not designed for purists it's designed to get more people interested in the sport and can do no harm surely on that basis (except for the point about the 4 day game being squeezed to the very start and end of the English summer agree on that)?
That's also why some of the games are on the BBC. Terrestrial TV (which would never show tests and prob not ODI's either due to the length of play) gets more people watching it and more publicity.
bbc1 and 2 used to have ball by ball blanket coverage of test matches in the 80s. I don't see why that couldn't happen now. could even stick it on bbc 4 which has nothing before 7 pm
Sky didn't exist in the 80's though in terms of how much rights would cost then diceman. With all the pressure on the licence fee no way could the BBC afford the rights for test cricket (which are important to Sky as whilst the audience is relatively small it, along with Formula 1, attracts people to pay for Sky Sports who wouldn't necc get it for the footy).
The ECB are basically giving the BBC about 10 games a year here on the cheap as a loss leader to get some terrestrial TV presence.
Even in the old days as well the BBC would often cut away to show horse racing or somesuch, used to be very irritating!
Test cricket will always be the pinnacle of the game for me, but cricket is inaccessible for many cricket fans because it is largely played during the working week and hidden away on subscription TV. This is a chance to watch world class players after work and grow the game. What's not to like about that?
I don't object to a short form of the game that can be played in the evenings - but we already have that with T20, inventing yet another format, and inviting a whole new set of loyalties to brand new teams strikes me a barmy. I can only think it is so they can still sell T20 to Sky at "exclusive" rates while offering some form of cricket to terrestrial tv. It will end in tears.
The names of the teams remind me of Australian sport where you have teams called things like "That Bit of the Coast Between Sydney and Noosa Warriors".
The ECB don't really want 18 counties and think that's too many I think is the general feeling Laz but they can't come out and expressly say that. Also they think as with the IPL and Big Bash in Oz that people will have more loyalty/buy in to cities not counties.
Because Guy they have already reinvented the English T2020 format a few times and quite recently and it doesn't get the same pull as the IPL or Big Bash.
I think they thought that the only way to complete and get all the big names is to do a format change and make a big song and dance about the draft.
Ultimately it will not be much different from the 2020 but may get a few better players coming and will be on terrestrial tv.
I agree that it feels a bit pointless but will probably watch it if there is nothing else on. The Oval is only a 20 min bus ride for me so I may support them.
I enjoy the big bash, am a recent convert to test and one day so yes, looking forward to it.
Really hope it’s going to be over the top silliness like the big bash tho, if they don’t throw loads of fireworks and sparkly bails into the mix I will be disappointed.
I would have thought they'd be better to try and rationalise the counties into a single championship and then run 4 day, ODI and T20/100 off those. That might get more fans and players interested in 4 day cricket.
It’s poor that it’s taken so long for the ECB to figure out that a competition involving changing squads and player auctions is worth trying. I don’t think it’ll work because this country’s cricketing structure revolves around a commercial dead duck of 18 counties, and the fans/powerbrokers who need to get behind this idea won’t. But it’s worth trying.
The whole “Hundred” concept is just a fooking stupid gimmick that offers nothing and in fact will just make it more difficult to get people on board.
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I've always supported London Spirit since I was a wee nipper peeking through a gap in the fence at the MCC.
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None, I cannot see the sense of inventing a fourth form of the game - it is ridiculous and I will no be following at all.
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The (Super*) Norther Chargers. Given it represents 2 of the best 3 counties, in Yorkshire and Northumberland, how can anyone support any other team?
* Really do not like the 'Super' adjective.
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I'm with crouchback. I'm against this comp - which squeezes proper 4 day cricket into spring and autumn
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Ah, I see it is the Northern Superchargers. I think that's even worse.
What is wrong with the Northern Whippets? Or the Northern Pie-chuckers?
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It's cricket for football fans and to get them into the game though really diceman/crouchback isn't it? As T20 has done to some extent.
The last thing they are going for here really is people tribally supporting a team; it's the above plus also designed to appeal to the night out crowd (be that families or City workers etc.).
I'm a purist as well when it comes to cricket and will have limited interest as well but it's not designed for purists it's designed to get more people interested in the sport and can do no harm surely on that basis (except for the point about the 4 day game being squeezed to the very start and end of the English summer agree on that)?
That's also why some of the games are on the BBC. Terrestrial TV (which would never show tests and prob not ODI's either due to the length of play) gets more people watching it and more publicity.
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bbc1 and 2 used to have ball by ball blanket coverage of test matches in the 80s. I don't see why that couldn't happen now. could even stick it on bbc 4 which has nothing before 7 pm
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Sky didn't exist in the 80's though in terms of how much rights would cost then diceman. With all the pressure on the licence fee no way could the BBC afford the rights for test cricket (which are important to Sky as whilst the audience is relatively small it, along with Formula 1, attracts people to pay for Sky Sports who wouldn't necc get it for the footy).
The ECB are basically giving the BBC about 10 games a year here on the cheap as a loss leader to get some terrestrial TV presence.
Even in the old days as well the BBC would often cut away to show horse racing or somesuch, used to be very irritating!
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Birmingham Rockets for me. Why doesn't the north east have a team.
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or f'ing golf
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OIC, northern superchargers are supposed to be that even though they're based in Yorkshire.
Still Birmingham for me. Why do the teams have such fooking stupid names?
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As a purist I can't wait for the Hundred.
Test cricket will always be the pinnacle of the game for me, but cricket is inaccessible for many cricket fans because it is largely played during the working week and hidden away on subscription TV. This is a chance to watch world class players after work and grow the game. What's not to like about that?
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they should have called one of the teams "Universe Bosses" in honour of C gayle
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Looks like London Spirit or Welsh Fire for the championship (Northern Superchargers' bowling looks a little light).
Oval Invincibles or Southern Brave for the wooden spoon.
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Kent CCC
hth
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That's wrong on two levels.
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I have every intention of disappearing to watch some proper test cricket this Summer.
Have we got many tests at home this year?
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Anyone fancy joining me for a day out at the Oval and/or Lords for Eng v WI in June?
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Sorry, I meant Kent CC, I’m a big fan of county councils
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I will not be having anything to do with the 100, I think it's stupid.
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I don't object to a short form of the game that can be played in the evenings - but we already have that with T20, inventing yet another format, and inviting a whole new set of loyalties to brand new teams strikes me a barmy. I can only think it is so they can still sell T20 to Sky at "exclusive" rates while offering some form of cricket to terrestrial tv. It will end in tears.
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Jorrocks - there are 6 tests. 3 West Indies and 3 Pakistan.
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It's not so much cricket for football fans as cricket for people who like the IPL.
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Why didn't they ask the existing counties to form teams?
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The names of the teams remind me of Australian sport where you have teams called things like "That Bit of the Coast Between Sydney and Noosa Warriors".
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It’s garbage and I won’t be watching
oval invincibles ffs
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The ECB don't really want 18 counties and think that's too many I think is the general feeling Laz but they can't come out and expressly say that. Also they think as with the IPL and Big Bash in Oz that people will have more loyalty/buy in to cities not counties.
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"It's not so much cricket for football fans as cricket for people who like the IPL"
In which case why change the format from that played in the IPL?
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heh @ laz 13.02; that's a pretty accurate summary of Aussie team names when it comes to rugby league and aussie rules
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I’ve ordered Bentines a London Spirit replica kit though
u r welcome
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Because Guy they have already reinvented the English T2020 format a few times and quite recently and it doesn't get the same pull as the IPL or Big Bash.
I think they thought that the only way to complete and get all the big names is to do a format change and make a big song and dance about the draft.
Ultimately it will not be much different from the 2020 but may get a few better players coming and will be on terrestrial tv.
I agree that it feels a bit pointless but will probably watch it if there is nothing else on. The Oval is only a 20 min bus ride for me so I may support them.
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Should have been:
London Bowler (Hats)
Southern Soft Hands
Northern Pie-chuckers
Birmingham Corridor of Uncertainty
Oval (Surrey & Kent) Loud Brash Wankers
Trent (Ay up me) Ducks
Welsh Dollys
Manchester Rain Delays
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As bad as the team names are they still aren't as bad and irrelevant as Middlesex, Glamorgan, Norfolk etc.
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counties as a unit for sporting rivalry are better than cities
for one thing, everyone, absolutely everyone, lives in a county
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Looking forward to it tbh. They deffo had sky in the 80s my m8 dave had a squariel and we watched the simpsons
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I enjoy the big bash, am a recent convert to test and one day so yes, looking forward to it.
Really hope it’s going to be over the top silliness like the big bash tho, if they don’t throw loads of fireworks and sparkly bails into the mix I will be disappointed.
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Does this not completely undermine the T20 Blast?
I would have thought they'd be better to try and rationalise the counties into a single championship and then run 4 day, ODI and T20/100 off those. That might get more fans and players interested in 4 day cricket.
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It’s poor that it’s taken so long for the ECB to figure out that a competition involving changing squads and player auctions is worth trying. I don’t think it’ll work because this country’s cricketing structure revolves around a commercial dead duck of 18 counties, and the fans/powerbrokers who need to get behind this idea won’t. But it’s worth trying.
The whole “Hundred” concept is just a fooking stupid gimmick that offers nothing and in fact will just make it more difficult to get people on board.
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