Somerset unhappy with ECB’s 'unacceptable' County schedule

Somerset players in 2022 County Championship (PC: Twitter)

The Somerset County Cricket Club have raised their issues with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regarding the existing county schedule. Quite recently, a board representing the club conveyed the same to a committee chaired by cricketer-turned-administrator Andrew Strauss during a governing body’s high-performance review.

Somerset on lack of matches during height of English summer

The ECB is set to announce a reduction of County Championship matches for future seasons. As per reports, the move will be initiated to provide a breathing window to their hundred-ball competition, The Hundred.

While Somerset is one of the few sides whose home venues like Taunton’s County Ground are not used for hosting matches of the tournament, the club would face a dearth of fixtures in the August slot of England’s home season.

Moreover, the cricket club also loses out several of their first-choice players to franchises of The Hundred, especially during the Royal London One-Day Cup.

In a statement issued by the Somerset board, they said:

“The current domestic playing programme, which resulted in only four one-day matches being played in Taunton over 43 days in the height of summer this year, with 17 Somerset players unavailable, is unacceptable to the club, its members and the South West's cricketing public.”

The board emphasised over the importance of hosting cricket matches in Taunton throughout the English season for fans and supporters of the club.

“It is crucial that the highest standard of men's and women's domestic cricket is available in the South West throughout the summer to satisfy the tremendous demand from members and supporters, and to allow children to be inspired during school holidays and fall in love with cricket.”

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