* 50-over, obvs.

The One Day Cup was popular and well attended in the 2010s, but smarting from their lack of monopolising T20 rights, money-focused marketing people with zero interest into the history and tradition of the game gained the ears of the ECB and tempted them into an unwanted fourth format, the 100 ❌❌❌

I am certain it would never fly with the ECB ATM, but I believe their problems finding a "window" for 40/50-0ver cricket could be solved by switching from a cup back to a league.

Do county champ games wed-sat and a 40-over Sunday League with 59-over play-off semi & final at the end of the season.

The ECB invented T20 ✅✅ in 2003 but failed to capitalise on its branding potential ❌ leading to 🇮🇳/🇦🇺 establishing stronger comps.
The National League became the Pro-40 ❌ & the Gillette Cup had evolved into the C&G Trophy (2000–2006) then Friends Provident Trophy ❌ which merged as the One Day Cup ✅✅✅

The Sunday League shouts out to me as a potential alternative role for 40/50-over cricket which the ECB doesn't seem to be able to find a cup-competition slot for.

By the late 90s it became the "National League" ➖ tinkering with formats & too many other competitions eventually made it redundant.

Gillette Cup (1963–1980)/
NatWest Trophy (1981–2000) ✅✅✅
A sensible schedule addition bringing 60/50-over one day cricket into the fore, a single-day resolution and a fun day out.

Sunday League (1969-2009) ✅✅✅ a limited overs comp (mostly 40-overs), heyday 70s-90s that introduced coloured kit.

As ever, finance & the schedule dominate. But it does beg the question what we would see from an independent review of the history of managing domestic cricket?

1890-1960s ✅ a heyday when the game grew, bumper crowds in the early-mid 20th C that equalled football, but beplagued by gambling issues.

I actually don't think they lack the skills for success. They 100% lack the attitude and discipline.

If England does one thing this Ashes series to prove me wrong it will be a single batter last for more than three sessions, regardless of runs.

Ah sorry, a few other projects meant this slipped off my, err... long range forecast for the time being. I will get back to it in a more polished form asap.

I do agree re their leisure time/mental health etc, but there also has to be an acceptance about performance levels. They had three more days they were supposed to be playing so should have all been hitting the nets with some local club bowlers, and should all be begging to be in the practice games.

All aboard the Cane Train!
Woot wooooot!
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