Mathematically no but in reality hopefully. Warwickshire have to win to avoid relegation at all and if we draw we will be safe. Even a decent number of bonus points could see us safe if Warwickshire don't pick up too many bonus points themselves.
Given it's late September a good burst with the dancing shoes might ensure safety if rain interferes with the fixtures and they are all draws.
There is one other possibility to us staying up (and again assuming that Warwickshire do win) and that is that both us and Yorkshire lose (to Gloucestershire) but we pick up one more bonus point than them. Yorkshire would then go down on fewer wins.
I think they want fewer counties and this is a way for the system to eventually force the lesser first class counties to fold.
A strong six team county championship surely means the best young players ending up at the counties hosting test cricket. Kent would be outside of this structure eventually. The Hundred is in because of the money and in my opinion offers nothing to the game.
They should have fully backed 20/20 as it is the standard international short game of cricket. They could still have reduced county games by using a division/conference system commonly used in American sports. 3 equal divisions, 10 games each. The three winners and one other qualifying for semifinals knockout. Finally a grand final. (Every county would start the season with a chance of winning the championship). They could change up the teams in each division every year to freshen up the league and maintain parity. Would then be plenty of space left for a 50 over comp.
Of course it wouldn't let them consolidate the best players all at six teams.
I think they are destroying the county game. The focus should not only be on test cricket.
Just looking at the table shows how dire our position was prior to today. Who'd have thought we'd win this one? And on the back of winning a final. Crazy days, but very happy ones.
I notice that while Cox has got a S African T20 contract, Billings missed out, so with England not choosing him in recent white ball squads, I wonder if his white ball "worth" is starting to wain a bit, and he might miss out on the IPL next year.
I notice that while Cox has got a S African T20 contract, Billings missed out, so with England not choosing him in recent white ball squads, I wonder if his white ball "worth" is starting to wain a bit, and he might miss out on the IPL next year.
I don't think that Billings will get an IPL contract. He's had five years in total at the IPL and from 27 innings averaging 19.35. Last season he batted 8 times and averaged 24.14 with a top score of 36. That doesn't smack of "sign me". But Cox might get a contract depending on how he does for the Sunrisers franchise in the new SA T20 comp.
If either does earn a contract then that will leave us with one keeper plus anyone else we might sign in the intervening period.
I notice that while Cox has got a S African T20 contract, Billings missed out, so with England not choosing him in recent white ball squads, I wonder if his white ball "worth" is starting to wain a bit, and he might miss out on the IPL next year.
I don't think that Billings will get an IPL contract. He's had five years in total at the IPL and from 27 innings averaging 19.35. Last season he batted 8 times and averaged 24.14 with a top score of 36. That doesn't smack of "sign me". But Cox might get a contract depending on how he does for the Sunrisers franchise in the new SA T20 comp.
If either does earn a contract then that will leave us with one keeper plus anyone else we might sign in the intervening period.
I can see Billings concentrating more or red ball cricket (other than the 100), if he wants to cement his position as Foakes' deputy, which is another reason for Robinson moving on.
Comments
Are we there yet ?
Given it's late September a good burst with the dancing shoes might ensure safety if rain interferes with the fixtures and they are all draws.
Dusting them off as we speak.
Great opportunity for those not able to be at Trent Bridge to say goodbye to a legend, with tickets reduced to £10 for the day.
Hope it's a great turn out & that the lads can claim yet another victory to ensure a further season in Div One.
https://resources.ecb.co.uk/ecb/document/2022/09/22/60de6c08-1cb1-4ff7-a749-7a21cb4b4eb5/Men-s-High-Performance-Review-Report.pdf
A strong six team county championship surely means the best young players ending up at the counties hosting test cricket.
Kent would be outside of this structure eventually.
The Hundred is in because of the money and in my opinion offers nothing to the game.
They should have fully backed 20/20 as it is the standard international short game of cricket.
They could still have reduced county games by using a division/conference system commonly used in American sports. 3 equal divisions, 10 games each. The three winners and one other qualifying for semifinals knockout. Finally a grand final. (Every county would start the season with a chance of winning the championship). They could change up the teams in each division every year to freshen up the league and maintain parity.
Would then be plenty of space left for a 50 over comp.
Of course it wouldn't let them consolidate the best players all at six teams.
I think they are destroying the county game. The focus should not only be on test cricket.
Great time to be a supporter, doesn’t happen very often!
Any guesses who this might be ?
I don't think that Billings will get an IPL contract. He's had five years in total at the IPL and from 27 innings averaging 19.35. Last season he batted 8 times and averaged 24.14 with a top score of 36. That doesn't smack of "sign me". But Cox might get a contract depending on how he does for the Sunrisers franchise in the new SA T20 comp.
If either does earn a contract then that will leave us with one keeper plus anyone else we might sign in the intervening period.