Counties convene to discuss future of English cricket

Chairmen and representatives of 18 first class counties and the MCC met at Lord's to discuss on various issues related to health of the game in England, on Monday (March 26). The meeting was hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board Chairman Colin Graves.

On the agenda was a thorough explanation about the payment made in tune of GBP 2.5 million from the ECB to the Glamorgan County in return for the County not bidding for Test cricket for the period 2020-2024. A range of other topics including, "the current challenges facing the game, domestically and internationally, the principles around any future payments to First Class Counties, revised governance processes within ECB; the revised structure of the ECB Board, the ownership structure of the New T20 Competition and composition of its Board, the process for developing the County Partnership Agreement" were discussed.

"This was a constructive meeting, with healthy and open debate. We addressed a range of questions, including giving a full explanation of the payment to Glamorgan and the process through which the Board considered and agreed this," Graves said.

"It was stressed that major funding decisions are always raised, discussed and agreed at the Board. Within the room, everyone also agreed on a shared responsibility for the health and sustainability of the game and further developing engagement and discussion within the game," he added.

Tom Harrison, the CEO of the board, directors Martin Darlow, Matthew Fleming, Lucy Pearson and Jim Wood, deputy chairman Ian Lovett and independent director Lord Patel also took part in the conference.

(CRICBUZZ)