Andrew, the former Sussex chief executive and England rugby union fly-half, is overseeing yet another evaluation of the domestic schedule he hopes will be agreed upon by July and implemented in time for the start of the 2026 season.
Yet the timing of Andrew’s admission that reducing the number of County Championship matches is “not off the table” will go down badly with county members and supporters given it came on the eve of the start of the new season on Friday.
That was eventually defeated by the counties, two-thirds of whom have to vote through any changes to the domestic schedule.
Domestic cricket in the UK faces ongoing financial pressure (Photo: Getty)
Andrew insists this latest review will be more collegiate, with the ECB, PCA and the Professional Game Committee (PGC), comprised of four county chairs, all working together to find a solution.
“This is very different to what happened in the high-performance review. This is a county-led process. We’re basically facilitating a discussion around how can we improve the current schedule.
Asked if that meant reducing the number of matches across the board, Andrew said: “I think it’s probably the heart of the debate we’ll have.
On whether that means fans turning up to matches should expect a reduction in the number of Championship games, Andrew added: “Nothing’s on the table and nothing’s off the table.
square CRICKET
My bold County Championship predictions for 2025 - and why Surrey won't win itRead More
“We think the County Championship is the blue-riband of red-ball cricket in the world. We need to protect it, grow it and strengthen it. What that looks like and how many games will be played will come out in the wash.
“Ultimately, there has to be at least 12 of the 18 counties agreeing. We’re hoping we don’t get to that stage. We hope the game can come together and find a way.
Andrew admitted “the desire” is to implement any changes by next summer.
In 2018, during his time at Sussex, Andrew advocated doing away with promotion and relegation and splitting the County Championship into three conferences.
The future model that will be floated this time is unknown but any cut to the number of Championship matches is likely to be resisted.
‘No issues’ with Hundred franchise sales
Oval Invincibles celebrate after the men’s Hundred final in 2024 (Photo: Getty)The ECB insist none of the deals for investment in the eight Hundred teams are in danger of collapse despite an extension to the deadline to complete purchases.
Four investors – the Ambani family, whose company Reliance Industries bought a 49 per cent stake in Oval Invincibles, the Silicon Valley tech consortium who struck a £295m deal for London Spirit and the Indian buyers of Manchester Originals and Northern Superchargers – are understood to have concerns that revolve chiefly around future broadcast rights for the tournament.
Gould also denied there might be any reduction to the £520m pot the English game is set to bank from the Hundred sell-off.
“The valuations [agreed for teams] are absolutely locked in and there are no issues with regards to that at all,” he said.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘Nothing’s off the table’: ECB risks angering fans with county cricket shake-up )
Also on site :