ENGLAND'S NEW T20 TOURNAMENT

Sussex, Middlesex unsure over proposed T20 league

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

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England's proposed city-based Twenty20 (T20) tournament, consisting of eight teams, received a major boost after the draft was passed by a majority vote at Lord's on Wednesday (September 14). The competition is expected to come into existence by 2018. However, a few counties are still unsure about the new proposed structure.

Sussex spelled out its concerns over hosting the new eight-team tournament, which is set to be played alongside the NatWest T20 Blast in order to branch out the game in the United Kingdom.

In a statement, the county said: "We recognise the current financial risks to counties, including over-dependence on international income, and the opportunities to develop interest in the game, including the changing media landscape. The board is open to considering change in the schedule, but our strong preference is that domestic tournaments should feature all 18 first-class counties.

"There is much work to carry out on many issues before the game will be in a position to give agreement to the proposed new schedule. Sussex Cricket will continue to participate in this process in a constructive way," the statement read.Mike O'Farrell, the Middlesex chairman, stated that due consideration should be given to the county's supporters. O'Farrell, the former treasurer at Middlesex, stressed on the point that they cannot vote in favour of the proposed tournament until they solicit the views of its members. He also observed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) should elaborate on their plans.

"We made it very clear to the ECB that we could not consider voting for such a dramatic change to the domestic cricket landscape without first consulting our members.

"Currently, we do not believe that there is enough detail on the proposal for us to give a considered opinion. The ECB (has) been tasked with providing that, so we can consult widely and informatively with our membership," he summed up.

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