Chief executive Daniel Gidney of Lancashire County Cricket Club has expressed concerns about the future of the County Championship, citing agents as the main threat. Gidney criticized agents for prioritizing franchise tournaments over the championship and called for a unified effort to support the traditional format of the game.
Lancashire currently faces the threat of relegation, with Gidney suggesting that player unavailability has been a contributing factor to their struggles. He highlighted the absence of key players like Liam Livingstone and Luke Wood from championship matches, as well as the increasing number of young players being fielded by the team.
Gidney also criticized the dilution of non-objection certificates, which restrict his ability as a chief executive to prevent players from participating in franchise tournaments. He praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India for prioritizing domestic cricket over lucrative T20 leagues, noting that Indian cricketers don’t have a union to advocate for their interests.
The chief executive acknowledged the challenges faced by players in balancing their careers and earning opportunities but emphasized the need for a better balance between financial incentives and traditional formats of the game. He called for increased prize money in the championship and suggested higher salaries for top players as a way to incentivize their participation in county cricket.
Overall, Gidney’s comments highlight the complex issues facing the future of the County Championship and the need for a collaborative effort to preserve the traditional format of the game.
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