Guardian article on the campaign to stop the HPR trashing county cricket

Good article

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/24/lancashires-awkward-squad-ready-to-battle-for-county-crickets-future

Need to delay this as long as possible until Thommo is ECB Chair, and then he can start sorting the whole mess out.

Don't hold your breath.

Just received an email to members from Middlesex. It might be relevant to what members of other counties want to seek.

The gist is
- already received a lot of emails from members
- will be holding an online forum for members
- will also be sending out an online survey to members
- members' opinions will be listened to and will form the basis of any decisions we make on proposed changes to the game
- no proposals received yet
- any changes need support from 12 of the 18 counties
- no foundation to reports that a cut in the number of FC counties in 2023 is proposed
- no foundation to reports that a cut in the amount of red ball cricket in 2023 is proposed

The potential weasel words in those last two indents are "in 2023" and "red ball cricket". The latter could mean North vs Midlands or Gentlemen vs Players!

I'm not sure that "form the basis" can ever equate to following the exact wishes of the members, as members could easily vote for a course of action that is illegal or guarantees bankruptcy! However, if Middlesex members say firmly that 14 CC matches is a must, it will surely be difficult for the county to vote for anything that  includes a reduction.

I think the Lancashire guys have done very well in mobilising organised opposition within other counties. I'm not au fait with what Surrey have said to their members though.

Thanks Adelaide, that’s very helpful. There has been no public statement from Surrey yet.

Thanks Adelaide. Well done Lancs members. I know I am paranoid about the ECB and it's machinations, but they cannot be trusted to care about cricket. I think they only care about the bottom line.

Official: no reduction in championship fixtures for 2023. That should allow Thommo time to get a grip of the ECB.

Crikey! I'd never even heard suggestion that the number of counties would be reduced as soon as 2023!