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[Manormanic]

Yep, first team since the 1960s to buy three consecutive titles!

[Buzz]

Yep, first team since the 1960s to buy three consecutive titles!

Slightly bitter jarb.
However, even as a Surrey fan, it isn't sustainable to have a league where there is such a disparity across the wealthy clubs and the others.

The ECB are doing their best to destroy the county framework, which is ridiculous

[Manormanic]

Slightly bitter jarb.
However, even as a Surrey fan, it isn't sustainable to have a league where there is such a disparity across the wealthy clubs and the others.

Just stating a sad fact, and your unusually defensive response suggests it hit home.  There is no parity in a league where one county is guaranteed international cricket every year, and pays substantially lower licencing fees than clubs going through the bidding process for the remaining games. 

I think even then most fans would respect Slurry if they actually focussed on their perfectly decent development programmes rather than hoovering up talent from everywhere else, then parachuting one-game superstars over the top of that.  The greatest county side of this century - the Yorkshire team of 2013-16 - won the Championship in 2015 by an enormous margin (circa 75 points) whilst giving Adam Lyth, Joe Root, Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow to the England Test side as well as Adil Rashid, Tim Bresnan and Liam Plunkett to the one day side.  They had one overseas, and two players recruited from outside of the county (one of whom, Andy Hodd, had been released by Sussex when we picked him up as emergency cover), and covered absences by promoting youth.

The likes of Amar Virdi, Nathan Barnwell and Matt Dunn can only wish Surrey took that approach.

[Jimbo]

That may well all be true, but Surrey are an exceptionally well run club notwithstanding.

I do agree that it's not healthy for the wider game that there is such financial disparity, but there do seem to be positive things happening at the less well-off clubs. Leicester seem to be putting together a very handy development program for example.

[Bats_Entertainment]

I feel a bit like I've watched the same game six times this season.

[Manormanic]

I feel a bit like I've watched the same game six times this season.

As long as it wasn't the 600 plays 600 Headingley snoozefest.  Nobody needs to see that once, let alone six times.

[Manormanic]

That may well all be true, but Surrey are an exceptionally well run club notwithstanding.

I do agree that it's not healthy for the wider game that there is such financial disparity, but there do seem to be positive things happening at the less well-off clubs. Leicester seem to be putting together a very handy development program for example.

No doubt they make the most of their location and commercial department as well, but I heard one ECB board member quote 1.33 million as their annual effective windfall over the other Test match grounds from the different staging arrangements.  That makes a massive difference to playing budgets. 

[Bats_Entertainment]

As long as it wasn't the 600 plays 600 Headingley snoozefest.  Nobody needs to see that once, let alone six times.

Have not been to Headingley this year.

[Buzz]

So much to un pick from this thread.
But lots to agree with.

Another thing, signing players for one champo game should be banned, unless it is an emergency one game loan from another county.
Surrey signing Shakib was ludicrous.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Another thing, signing players for one champo game should be banned, unless it is an emergency one game loan from another county.
Surrey signing Shakib was ludicrous.

Agree. Loans also getting ridiculous.

Perhaps you should have to declare your hand at the start of the season?

[Bats_Entertainment]

Imagine playing the one-day final on September 22nd!

[Manormanic]

Imagine playing the one-day final on September 22nd!

Pretty aspirational really.  Can't believe there is a serious chance of the trophy having to be shared!

[Warneymonster]

surely now, with the forecast worse than yesterday, they should make this the first game of next season. dont think anyone from either side would have an issue with it, sharing the trophy seems rediculous

[Bats_Entertainment]

Glamorgan won. They played 20 overs per side. Cricket has sold its soul.

[Manormanic]

On the one hand, they at least had the sense to get a game on rather than trying vainly to get 50 overs a side in.

On the other, could it not have waited for next year and allowed the players - for some of whom this would be the biggest day of their entire careers - a proper showcase?