County fans fight against plan for fewer games

HOOK SHOT
Surrey reporter Marcus Hook gives his county view

Anyone who thinks Erik ten Hag has his work cut out reviving the fortunes of Manchester United should spare a thought for the new chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Richard Thompson.

Thompson, who has been chairman of Surrey since 2010, will take up the role on September 1, serving for the next five years.

Thompson is quoted as saying: “I am looking forward to using my experience and love for the game in taking this opportunity to give cricket a fresh start at what is a hugely important time for cricket.

“Alongside the board and senior leaders at the ECB, we will work with the counties and the recreational game. Collaboration and partnership will be key to our sport’s future.”

His reference to “a fresh start” will not only be music to the ears of the 18 first-class counties – who have not been represented on the ECB board in recent years – but also their members and supporters, many of whom are worried that county cricket is under attack from its own governing body.

During Thompson’s time at the Oval, Surrey’s membership has grown from 7,500 to 14,000, which now equates to nearly a third of all county members, due to the steady decline seen elsewhere.

Lancashire, Sussex, Worcestershire and Yorkshire’s membership numbers have fallen dramatically in the past decade.

But at Lancashire the 3,500 that remain (from the 10,000 in 2008) are pushing for a special general meeting.

The aim is to mandate Lancashire to oppose any move by the ECB – which has undertaken a High Performance Review in the wake of last winter’s humiliating Ashes defeat – to further reduce in the number of County Championship matches.

The Lancs Action Group are also urging members of other counties to do likewise.

Richard Thompson is passionate about the championship, which he sees as vital in terms of developing future England cricketers.

He has also said he believes a reworked domestic T20 Blast competition, with promotion and relegation, would be just as successful in achieving The Hundred’s aim of inspiring youngsters in this country to take up the sport.

Thompson’s appointment is therefore an interesting development, not least because the new TV deal the ECB agreed with Sky last month extends The Hundred through to 2028.

During last Sunday’s thrilling Royal London clash between Surrey and Warwickshire, a fellow cricket journalist asked me what Richard Thompson is like.

“Not only is Thommo a great communicator, he talks a lot of sense,” I said, to which my colleague responded: “But will the rest of the ECB listen?”

That, I guess, is the 64,000 dollar question.

SUSSEX  v SURREY (Probable Line-ups)

Surrey:
Geddes (capt), Patel, Steel, Blake (wk), Lawes, Reifer, Kimber, McKerr, Virdi, Dunn, Majid.

Sussex:
Ward, Orr, Clark, Pujara (capt), Alsop (wk), Rawlins, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Lenham, Crocombe, Currie.

FORM GUIDE

Alec Stewart said the Royal London would be topsy turvy, and so it is proving, with all the teams in Surrey’s group seemingly capable, on their day, of beating everyone else.

The Oval outfit have won once, lost once and tied the other.

However, Sussex, who face Warwickshire today (Friday), have only come a cropper against Group A leaders Notts.

STAT

Surrey’s trip to Hove on Sunday will only be their third for a List A game since 2010.

They haven’t won there in one-day cricket since overcoming Sussex by 67 runs in 2008, thanks to an unbeaten 126 from Usman Afzaal

KEY PLAYERS

Cameron Steel (Surrey) – Signed from Durham last summer, the 26-year-old leg-spinner is more than capable of following up the 10 wickets he took in the Royal London in 2021, with an economy rate of just 4.88 runs an over.

But given Surrey’s lack of experience with the bat, it’s vital he builds on the unbeaten 68 he made in the convincing victory over his old county.

Ari Karvelas (Sussex) – the Greek international, who plies his trade in South Africa as a seamer for Central Gauteng, has really caught the eye in the past fortnight, taking nine wickets in the Royal London at 14.22 runs apiece.

STAR MAN

Nick Kimber, for his stirring 84 off 51 balls against Warwickshire.

BEST MOMENT

Kimber launching Rob Yates’ off-spin into the stands for three sixes in the space off 4 balls.

FIXTURES

August 14 – Sussex v Surrey at Hove (Royal London Cup) August 17 – Surrey v Somerset at the Kia Oval (Royal London Cup) August 19 – Surrey v Gloucestershire at the Kia Oval (Royal London Cup)