|
|
Post by exile on Sept 24, 2021 20:29:54 GMT
Yes, these were all serious deficiencies of this year's format and they do devalue the winning of the title (which I would also have said had Lancs won it). However, the two division system also has major drawbacks, two of which are that (i) fear of relegation encourages negative play and that (ii) a transfer market is encouraged as clubs look to "strengthen" by signing players from other counties, rather than develop their own (nine of the Warwickshire side that played today had learned their cricket at other counties). I think that a properly worked out conference system, such as that in the American NFL, is the way forward but, with the present lot in charge, domestic 1st class cricket will stay at the back of the queue and its structure will be planned on the back of an envelope.
|
|
|
|
Post by chris on Sept 24, 2021 21:49:14 GMT
Yes, these were all serious deficiencies of this year's format and they do devalue the winning of the title (which I would also have said had Lancs won it). However, the two division system also has major drawbacks, two of which are that (i) fear of relegation encourages negative play and that (ii) a transfer market is encouraged as clubs look to "strengthen" by signing players from other counties, rather than develop their own (nine of the Warwickshire side that played today had learned their cricket at other counties). I think that a properly worked out conference system, such as that in the American NFL, is the way forward but, with the present lot in charge, domestic 1st class cricket will stay at the back of the queue and its structure will be planned on the back of an envelope. |
|
|
|
Post by oldhamexile on Sept 27, 2021 9:34:59 GMT
I've been struck listening to interviews that coaches and players whose teams have done well in the conference (Notts for example) favour the conference, and those that did better in divisions (Essex) prefer two divisions.
I was a big supporter of two divisions and do think it encourages tough cricket but maybe that is at the expense of bringing through younger players.
I quite like the conferences, and the chance to play different counties, but I worry there's too much meaningless cricket when you split into D1, D2 AND d3.
|
|
|
|
Post by man in the stand on Sept 27, 2021 10:50:53 GMT
I think I'm more in favour of the 2 division system so that the top teams play each other rather than the weaker sides..though we did lose to Glamorgan!
If we keep the conference then I would make the top team in the 2nd and 3rd divisions play for the Bob Willis Trophy. That should make those games more meaningful.
|
|
|
|
Post by alanw on Sept 27, 2021 11:37:55 GMT
I much prefer the two division system. With a two up/ two down promotion/ relegation it gives all teams the opportunity to get into the top division, although I accept that this is difficult for small counties such as Derbyshire, Leicestershire. I understand why we had the conference system in the truncated 2020 season but I don't understand why we didn't go back to two divisions this year.
|
|
