Surrey Chief Criticises T20 Schedule

Paul Sheldon, chief executive of Surrey County Cricket Club, has openly criticised the structural set-up of Twenty20 domestic cricket in England, pointing to the increased number of matches leading to decreasing attendances and revenues.

Speaking ahead of the game between Surrey and Middlesex, Sheldon commented: ‘Our crowds for this year’s Friends Provident t20 have been generally disappointing with total numbers for the eight home games being the same as to those for five home games in 2009.
 
‘Tonight’s crowd shows that the appetite for Twenty20 cricket is very much alive and well. However, it only attracts this level of interest if it is put on against local opposition, at the right time of day and on a Thursday or Friday night. Good weather is a great bonus; the World Cup has not helped.
 
‘We have evidence that the number of matches in this year’s competition has not increased interest. We are strongly in favour of creating an enhanced competition, in a concentrated period of three to four weeks, involving both England and overseas players.

‘As finances come under further pressure, this is an opportunity we have to grasp. We simply have to find solutions to the problems which are preventing it happening.’
 
Sheldon also expressed his dissatisfaction with the punishing schedule imposed on Surrey Lions players throughout the tournament, adding: ‘The competition has been very frenetic with players dashing around the country in very very short order.

‘At one stage, we played a four day match against Derbyshire and then had to start an FPt20 match back at the Brit Insurance Oval less than 24 hours later. The time for preparation has really been foreshortened.
 
‘We are looking for a shorter, punchier competition. The quality needs to be stronger and the quantity fewer.’