Kent abstain from new T20 competition vote

Kent have announced that they have abstained in the ECB ballot on proposed changes to the articles of association of ECB – the proposals that will allow the establishment of a new Twenty20 competition.
All 41 members of the ECB (comprising the Chairmen of the 18 First Class Counties, 21 County Boards in Non-First Class Counties, MCC and the Minor Counties Cricket Association), have been asked to support the change to allow the establishment of the tournament from 2020.
Kent Cricket CEO Jamie Clifford said: “Whilst Kent Cricket does not wish to be at odds with the ECB, the proposals for the future direction of the game as they stand are such that the club cannot actively endorse them. The club has therefore taken the view that an abstention is the appropriate reaction to the proposed change of ECB articles.
“We believe that our stance reflects the anxiety there is amongst non-Test match grounds – those unlikely to host new teams – that their role as active players in the future of the game is at risk. However, understanding that it is now inevitable that the proposals will receive the support that they need to be enacted, we hope that we might act as a ‘critical friend’ in their further development.
“There are far-reaching consequences to what is proposed and we hope that the plans will now evolve to the overall betterment of the whole game in England and Wales and that ECB’s hoped for outcomes around the profile of the game, participation and finance are delivered.
“Everyone at the club is a passionate supporter of the game. We want it to thrive in all its forms. There is no way, as cricket lovers, that we will seek to obstruct or derail the game’s future direction. You can expect that we will do all we can to make sure that it continues to flourish.
“Part of the evolution must be to ensure that county cricket is at the game’s heart long into the future. To see first-class counties reduced to bit-part players will not be an acceptable outcome – no matter how high the profile of the new Twenty20 competition. Kent Cricket has a long, proud and rich history and our supporters should be reassured that we will do all we can to protect that.”
Latest
-
News
Mohammad Hafeez bats away PCB contract offer
Mohammad Hafeez has shunned a Category C contract from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
-
News
India v England, day one: Zak Crawley the only bright light for poor England
India held the upper hand in the pivotal third Test in Ahmedabad after bowling the tourists out for 112 and reaching the close on 99 for three.
-
News
England frustrated with umpires after India dominate day one of third Test
England skipper Joe Root was heard telling umpires ‘all we want is consistency’.
-
News
England slump to 112 all out as India take control of third Test
Zak Crawley’s half-century was England’s only innings of note.
-
News
Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin have England in a spin in third Test
Patel claimed six for 38 to put India in complete control.
-
News
Zak Crawley leads England resistance but India dominate first session
The host’s spinners enjoyed more helpful conditions.
-
News
England make four changes and opt to bat first in day-night Test against India
Rory Burns and Dan Lawrence made way for Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow.
-
News
On This Day in 2010: Sachin Tendulkar at the double with new ODI milestone
Then aged 36, he hit 25 fours and three sixes off 147 balls as India thrashed South Africa.
-
News
Joe Root relishes bowling selection dilemma ahead of day-night Test with India
The England captain has to decide which of his seamers will make the cut in Ahmedabad.
-
News
Brave decision looks familiar for David Warner in The Hundred
The Australia opener rejoins Southern Brave for the inaugural competition.