BBC BLOGS - Test Match Special

Time for three divisions?

Kevin Howells | 11:30 UK time, Tuesday, 15 November 2011

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I have been persuaded that a radical shake-up of county cricket is needed.

After talking to several people involved at ECB and county level, I have decided to write down what I think should happen to the County Championship.

To accept this idea you do have to either agree that there are too many matches played at present or you are at least as fed up as I am about the number of times changes are discussed.

I don't like the idea that the Championship should be reduced to create space in the schedule, but I do concede that whilst protecting the first-class game one cannot ignore the money which the shorter formats - most notably T20 - brings in.

What is wrong with two divisions? Not a lot in my opinion and the most recent seasons have created some terrific stories.

However, those of us who like to think of the Championship as being more than just a set of trial matches need to lead the debate and not follow it.

So here goes with my solution.

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The loss of innocence

Adam Mountford | 16:17 UK time, Thursday, 3 November 2011

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"My message to the followers of cricket is keep following, keep loving this wonderful game."

This was the rallying call from Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the head of the ICC's anti-corruption unit, despite the jailing of three Pakistan cricketers and the agent Mazhar Majeed.

The message is great in theory - but in practice, just how easy is it going to be to convince cricket supporters that they are always watching sportsmen trying their very best?

The judge at Southwark Crown Court, Mr Justice Cooke, expressed his fear that cricket could be forever tainted by the scandal.

"Whenever in the future there are surprising events or results, followers of the game who have paid good money to watch it live or watch it on television will be left to wonder whether there has been fixing and whether what they have been watching is a genuine contest between bat and ball," he said.

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India keep winning - but the crowds stay away

Adam Mountford | 19:11 UK time, Sunday, 23 October 2011

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The one-day international series may be well and truly over as a contest, but we still have the garden of Eden to tempt us.

After another Indian victory in Mumbai on Sunday night, England's players head to Kolkata for two games at the iconic Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium.

It will be the first international match England will have played at India's most famous ground since 2002 after the scheduled World Cup game earlier this year had to be moved because redevelopment work was not finished in time.

Despite the travails of the tour, many of England's players have expressed their excitement at playing at a ground which is sometimes described as cricket's answer to the Coliseum.

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