Surrey cricket chief Alec Stewart outlines why County Championship needs return to two-division format

BY MARCUS HOOK

Alec Stewart believes it would be detrimental if the County Championship does not revert to two divisions once cricket, as well as the rest of the country, is free of the pandemic.

An argument for retaining this year’s format – which gives all 18 counties the chance of winning the title – is that it would dissuade players from switching counties to further their England ambitions.

But Stewart would like to see the counties that develop new talent compensated equitably if a contracted player opts to leave for pastures new.

“If a player moves and the county he’s moved from has offered that player a new contract, I believe that county – who has potentially brought that player through from the age of eight – should be compensated very well,” said Surrey’s director of cricket.

“A small compensation package has been put in place in the last year or two, but I don’t think it’s enough.

“If you’ve spent good money and plenty of man hours over a period, from eight to the age of 22 for example, and that county just gets a small amount of compensation, that’s wrong.

“I’m not saying I’d like to see a transfer fee, but a proper figure. Then, that county really has to think through do I want to pay an amount when, actually, if I spent that producing my own cricketers, perhaps I wouldn’t have to go outside.

“It would also encourage counties to put more into their own infrastructure, from age group upwards.”

Some might be surprised by Stewart’s comments given that Surrey have bolstered their squad in recent years – due to increased England call-ups – by bringing in the likes of Reece Topley (from Sussex) and Jordan Clark (from Lancashire).

But Stewart’s main concern is that the development of future England stars – seen as the ultimate purpose of the County Championship – might be impeded without a return to promotion and relegation.

“I just believe in professional sport there should be consequence to performance,” said the former Surrey and England captain, who was recently added to the list of consultant scouts by Chris Silverwood, England’s head coach. “If we go back in time, we came away from one division because there were too many meaningless games. It was felt it had a detrimental effect on quality.

“Whatever format we play for the next three of four years, that won’t harm England’s chances of being the best in all formats. But in four or five years’ time, if we’re not having consequence to performance, then the quality of England players could drop off – because the good players can effectively coast against lesser-quality players.

“The way I’ve been brought up, professional sport is cut-throat and it should be ruthless. You want the best playing the best.

“From a selection point of view, in terms of having an eye for a cricketer, it doesn’t matter if you’re playing in the first division or the second division, you should picture how that cricketer could perform at the next level up.

“Before Covid, all the counties agreed to two divisions with 10 teams in the first division and eight in the second. But, because of the pandemic, we haven’t even experienced that.

“Last year it was good to get cricket on. The Bob Willis Trophy took place, it was great because at one stage it looked as though it wouldn’t happen at all.

“Then this year, with the pandemic still as it was, it was important to have a format that, if we were shut down again, we could still open back up and it wouldn’t affect everything.

“Moving forward it should be two divisions. I would hope and expect to revert to 10 in the first division and eight in the second. That’s what was agreed two years ago.

“Yes, we’re seeing some good cricket this year, but my issue is that after 10 games 12 sides have no chance of winning the championship, and they’ll just be playing for places seventh to 18th. Will that excite people come September?

“While April was good, we’ve seen May decimated by the weather. You’ll now see pitches become very result-orientated, so that teams can try and finish in the top two [in each group].

“I’m concerned about the latter part of this summer. We haven’t seen it yet, but whether you finish seventh or 18th there’s no consequence. Will members and supporters want that, turning up to a match where you’re not even pushing to be in the top four, or for promotion, or trying to avoid relegation? We’ll find out.

“I was pleased to see eight points for a draw come in, but we may see more sporty pitches for the last three or four group matches.

“There are some counties who have been advocates of the conference system for a period of time now, and a couple of them are in the first division. But there are other directors of cricket I have spoken to who are adamant that it has to be two divisions.

“It may not be up for debate because the chief executives had a meeting over the winter to put this year’s format in place. As I understand it, it was only put in place for this year; with it minuted it will revert to two divisions in 2022. So, let’s wait and see.”

SURREY v GLOUCESTERSHIRE
probable line-ups

Surrey:
Stoneman, Patel, Amla, Jacks, Smith (wk), Evans, Clark, Abbott, Clarke (capt), Topley, Virdi.

Gloucestershire:
Brathwaite, Dent (capt), Lace, Cockbain, Higgins, Hammond, Trotman (wk), Smith, M Taylor, Payne and Worrall.

KEY PLAYERS
Sean Abbott (Surrey) – took 22 wickets in five appearances, so Abbott has big boots to fill. But the 29-year-old Australian also brings runs to the party. In last winter’s Sheffield Shield he made 570 at an average of 63.33 for New South Wales.

Chris Dent (Gloucestershire) – will need to rediscover the form he showed against Surrey in the opening game of the season (when he made 78 and 91 not out) if the Bristolians are to put meaningful runs on the board.

FORM GUIDE
Gloucestershire top Group 2 and, with a game in hand, look odds-on to qualify for Division One later in the season. Meanwhile, Surrey remain fourth. With just one victory in seven outings, the South Londoners need to win all three of their remaining group matches to stand any chance of joining Gloucestershire in the top flight.

STAT
Openers Rory Burns (64 and 104 not out) and Mark Stoneman (63 and 74) made 50-plus in both innings against Middlesex. The last time an opening pair did likewise for Surrey was against Notts at the Oval in June 1991 (when Darren Bicknell scored 125 and 81, and Rehan Alikhan 69 and 96 not out).

STAR MAN
Rory Burns (pictured) – who took his run tally for the season to 554 at an average of 61.55 with scores of 64 and 104 not out against Middlesex.

BEST MOMENT
Rikki Clarke’s stunning, one-handed catch at third slip to see the back of Martin Andersson in Middlesex’s first innings.

NEXT FIXTURE
May 27-30: Surrey v Gloucestershire at the Kia Oval (LV County Championship)

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD