Eight-Team First Division Seems Likely From 2014

Eight-Team First Division Seems Likely From 2014

David Morgan's review now seems unlikely to be implemented in full.

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The ECB has postponed a final decision on the implementation of the Morgan Review until at least March, when it will meet again, and, "all the views expressed will be reported back to the ECB board by Gordon Hollins, MD Events and County Business."

The outcome of yesterday’s meeting between the ECB, the 18 first-class counties, and the MCC appears to be that a 14-match Championship schedule was accepted in principle providing it is made up of an eight-team first division so as not to compromise the integrity of the eventual winner.

Other objections to the initial findings of the review were the importance of the Clydesdale Bank competition being played on Sundays, and whether the competition should take the more commercially attractive and spectator-friendly route in remaining at 40 overs, or adopt the England management's wish for it to become 50 overs in order to mirror the international game.

Prior to yesterday’s meeting, the ECB board had accepted the findings of the review in principle and had called them 'holistic', indicating to the counties that they 'should be adopted in full or not at all'.

They may now have to change their minds.

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