Mens high performance review report

SEPTEMBER 2022 WHAT WE CONSIDERED BUT DID NOT RECOMMEND Considered Reason not recommended One Day Cup in August (as today) The quality of competition is undermined by players selected to play in The Hundred, meaning English cricket does not currently have a high standard and intensity competition for a format in which we aspire to be #1 or in the top 3 County Championship in August Playing the County Championship when an uneven share of players from different counties are playing in The Hundred was considered to significantly undermine the integrity of the competition. A County Championship first division of 8 or more teams Does not provide the same concentration of talent as a six-team top division. Also requires asymmetrical fixture lists if fewer than 14 County Championship matches – see below why this is necessary 12 or more County Championship matches This causes two major challenges. Firstly, it does not allow for sufficient rest and training for the players, coaches. Getting the balance of volume correct is a key driver for players mental and physical health. The quality of pitches would also be affected. The only way 12+ games could be scheduled with adequate rest would be to play it alongside The Hundred, which is not possible as it would undermine the integrity of the competition given some Counties have more players selected for The Hundred teams than others. Secondly, 12+ fixtures is more difficult to schedule and would not provide symmetrical fixtures (where everyone plays each other home and away). 14 group matches in the T20 Blast Does not provide sufficient rest and recovery for players and means we have lower proportion of preferable match days for fans and spectators. Completing the T20 Blast after The Hundred Breaks up the narrative of the competition and make it less likely to have overseas players for finals. During the course of this review, there has been commentary about whether The Hundred should have been a more prominent part of our work. We have considered the role of The Hundred. The competition has proved its ability to bring new, young audiences to cricket, and its scheduling in the summer holidays is a vital part of this. In addition, feedback from players rates The Hundred as a premier white ball competition and we believe its structure and prime time schedule should be protected to retain this position. HIGH-PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF MEN’S CRICKET IN ENGLAND AND WALES 30