The ECB's decision to have two Twenty20 tournaments in the domestic season comes at a time when the 50-over game is in an abysmal state, says Scyld Berry in the Telegraph. He writes:
Last week, when the ECB decided on a new domestic structure, the county chairmen last week had the opportunity to do something about the abysmal state of 50-over cricket in England - and did absolutely nothing. England are the only one of the eight major cricket-playing countries never to have won a global tournament (the World Cup or Champions Trophy) and the ECB, by their actions, are manifestly happy for it to stay that way. They want to line their pockets with two 20-over competitions. A successful England team at 50-over cricket? Empty words.
He says that if "the ECB staged a domestic 50-over competition in July and August, with time for the players to practise, England might have a chance of winning a World Cup."
Exploiting the 20 overs of powerplay is essential to a 'successful' 50-over team. But how can that be done on early-season pitches when survival has to be the aim, not power
Match-winning spin is another essential if a World Cup is to be won, especially the next one in Asia. In this year's Friends Provident Trophy only two spinners have taken four wickets in an innings: both modest off-spinners born several thousand miles from Britain, Gareth Breese and Greg Lamb.
In the Observer, Vic Marks says although the ECB have retained the County Championship's current format, there are threats it needs to be protected against.
The rich counties will get richer and may start to use their wealth more ruthlessly to acquire the best players. In the past this has hardly been worthwhile. In 2002 Essex were promoted from both divisions and, according to Graham Gooch, this cost the club money. We are now approaching an era when success may be rewarded financially, which constitutes progress.
There may also be a disparity in the quality of overseas players counties can afford. The commercially minded will contemplate Twenty20 cricket only in India and now with the EPL, provided the appropriate salary is available. Mahendra Dhoni, a must for the TV audience in India, is unlikely to leave his continent for anything short of six figures for three weeks' work.
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