County Championship should be cut to 12 games – PCA

The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) says that cutting the County Championship from 14 to 12 games is the “only reasonable option” to protect welfare and raise standards.

In the upcoming weeks, a review of the domestic game’s structure with the intention of making changes for the coming season will be completed.

A change in the current system, where two groups play 14 games, will be made to three groups play 12 games, is expected.

However, with a number of options open, the Championship’s future is less certain.

The top flight’s current status of 10 teams and eight second-tier teams may remain. In Division One, there might be a divisional switch, with eight to Division Two, and 10 to Division One. Each structure could have 14 or 12 games per year.

A 12-team top flight, broken up into six-team conferences, and a second tier of six teams would be another option.

One of the two promotion spots from the second tier would be determined by a play-off between the two top-tier conferences winners, with the winners of the second- and third-place finishes also determined.

For each county, there would be 12 games, and there would be a 13th for those competing in play-offs.

As long as either game is played more than 12 times per county, the PCA favors the conference model, but it would also support the traditional divisional structure.

It draws attention to research conducted among players, which found that 67% of players worry about their mental health while 83% say the current schedule makes them feel uncomfortable.

Olly Hannon-Dalby, the chair of the PCA and a seamer from Warwickshire, said, “The schedule has always been a contentious issue.”

The game has become more and more competitive as a result of the ever-increasing intensity of the fixtures, which has made it necessary to take positive steps right away and as a chance for the game to develop.

Twelve of the 18 first-class counties would have to approve any modifications to the domestic structure. The One-Day Cup, which takes place in August alongside The Hundred, is not expected to change.

Some counties have already made their preferred choices known in public.

Surrey and Somerset have both supported top flight teams of eight and ten, keeping 14 games each year.

Middlesex has supported the standings, with 14 games, 8 games, and 10 division one teams.

Worcestershire has supported the conference and 10-team first division while Durham and Lancashire have thrown their weight behind the 12-team top flight.

The Championship and Blast were both proposed to be reduced to 10 games each in a high-performance review led by former England captain Andrew Strauss in 2022. The counties overwhelmingly rejected the review.

The England and Wales Cricket Board conducted that review, but this latest investigation was led by the counties to determine the best setup for players and clubs.

Due to a number of factors, it was decided now is the right time to act: a new female professional structure has been established, and significant matches have been scheduled for foreseeable times.

Most importantly, The Hundred’s revenue from stake sales should relieve counties’ financial strain.