Interesting article from Martin Samuel in the Daily Mail, with some very valid points about 20/20 overkill.

However, he doesn't seem to understand that if the ECB follow his suggestion to move to 8 regional teams, then the diehards and traditionalists that currently keep cricket going will drift away faster than Pixie Geldof!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-1292630/MARTIN-SAMUEL-Twenty20-cricket-passing-fad--like-Pixie-Geldof-Lib-Dems.html

He has caught the essential flaw of T20 nicely, and it is now really only the cricket fan or the new one timers that go to see what it is all about. Less is more as they say.
The essential thing that made it different was that it was seen as a good thingto do on the way home from work and to then finish in the pub later - now its just too often - and too expensive - particulaarly in the current economic climate.

There is however a growing and disturbing increase in the populist press promoting the idea of the 'super county' or 'district' side, which is a serious concern. What I think they essentially miss however is that supporters of counties such as Worcester and the other so called minnows aren't gonig to transfer their allegiance to another location once their existing one is removed.

They just won't go to county cricket any more, they will potentially seek out the B'ham League venues at the weekend as their means of getting a cricket fix or just not bother, because it isn't necessarily about the cricket entirely, it is about the ambience, the pleasant surroundings, the view, the quiet solitude of watching a peaceful game in the most beautiful of settings. New Road fits the bill perfectly.

I like the seaside, but I don't go and stand at the docks in Liverpool to get my sea air - I head off to the Dorset coast to sit and contemplate the sea. Cricket at one of the Metropolises grounds would be the same thing, the cricket is there, but the atmosphere isn't.

Completely agree with Brian P and johnnymax. Spot on. Well said, both of you (and Mr Samuel, with the provisos already mentioned).

I totally agree with johnnymax, too, and I've got nothing more to add, but it just gives me the opportunity to include the names of those in the Worcs team for my first match!

_________________
My first match: Kenyon, Peter Richardson, Dews, Bird, Broadbent, Louis Devereux, Yarnold, Grove, Perks, Ashman, Flavell (and people moan about long tails today!) v Pakistanis, 8th May, 1954. Worcs lost by 8 wkts.

Lemurs don't moan about long tails.

Jack Flavell, from Wall Heath, where I grew up. Not familiar with Grove or Ashman....

Charles Grove was an import from Warwickshire, I believe - fast medium right at the end of his career, nearly bald as I remember! and probably played for only one season. Ashman was slow left arm, but he didn't play for more than 2 or 3 seasons. Tall with ginger hair, if my memory serves me correctly.

Thanks for that!

How many of those aged under 50 on this forum learnt their cricket , notably Worcestershire cricket , watching the sunday league in 70s and 80s , which was , in effect , the 2020 of its day ? All , I am sure , are now avid followers of 4 day cricket from which I am suffering withdrawal symptoms.
The product life cycle of 2020 is likely to be considerably shorter but will , hopefully , generate some life time followers. It is obviously too early to tell but if it doesn't it has clearly been a failure except for some short term revenue.
I cannot remember my first game but it was probably 1959 , as I had difficulty in pronouncing Outschoorn's name.

Yes, watched lots of JPL in the 70s and 80s. Started watching 3 day in 76ish during school hols (but not that often, Wall Heath to New Road not that easy on your own when you're 12!)

Ave crowd of 3000 at Birmingham is dreadful. Most of the article has been lifted from this forum - which is why we all agree with it. Totally spoilt by the need to start discussing regional claptrap and I couldn't help but think that the T20 section was just a preamble to support his flaky last few paragraphs.

No mention of Sharon.

I got into cricket watching Sunday League on BBC2 in the 70s...Peter Walker and Jim Laker and two cameras...I remember when one took a four at Moreton-in-Marsh and got smashed: they had to carry on with just one camera and lots of long distance shots ..those were the days.

...except that they don't play county cricket at Moreton-in-Marsh anymore, do they? Cricket is slowly giving up its outgrounds- although Yorks., Lancs., Glam., Middx. and even Slurrey [to be fair] are holding that flame alight.

Martin Samuel's article really taken from this Forum, Serchers??

I first saw Hicky at Moreton-in-Marsh - a lovely ground.

On the subject of 20/20 - it ain't going to go away -nor should it. The reason that crowds are declining is due to the counties' greed! Who else voted for the structure of the competition this year. Too many games - it's not rocket science (well, not for those of us who aren't county chairmen)

Revert it back to what it was - something that can be played in a three or four week window and hey presto! the crowds will come back.

Oh yes....

I read elsewhere that the movers and shakers are talking about converting it to a April- August Friday night competition....'leave work, meet your mates, come to the T20 and have some beers'.

Or the giant beer garden approach- as some might say..