NEWLY-ELECTED Professional Cricketers’ Assocation (PCA) chairman Daryl Mitchell has called for a ‘fair deal’ for counties and players when the new domestic T20 competition is launched.
The Pears batsman was formally confirmed as the new head of the association at the AGM last night (Tuesday) and said discussions on the new tournament was one of his priorities.
A new 20-over competition similar to the Indian Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash is being planned by ECB bosses, who are keen to cash in on the format’s popularity.
Unlike the current Natwest T20Blast, which will continue even when the new format is introduced in 2020, just eight teams will be involved.
Around 96 English players will ply their trade in the new format, which may run alongside the current 50-over One-Day competition.
Counties such as Worcestershire may miss out on hosting the games in favour of the bigger Test Match venues and Mitchell hopes ECB chiefs will clearly communicate their vision.
“We need to know from the ECB how the changes will affect the teams,” he said.
“I think players are excited more than worried about the changes.
“What we are hearing is more money is coming into the game which can only be a good thing in terms of salaries for players of all ages.
“As ever the devil will be in the detail of it, we need to know how the new competition is going to work, how many players will be involved, what’s going to run alongside and how it will affect other competitions,” he added.
The introduction of the new tournament is inevitable according to Mitchell but the former Pears skipper hoped a fair deal would be struck for the counties, the players involved and the 400 other professionals in the county game.
ECB bosses were due to present the current proposals at the PCA meeting last night and Mitchell’s comments were echoed by PCA Chief Executive and former Pears boss David Leatherdale.
“From a T20 perspective, there is no doubt research has shown a vastly grown tournament like the Big Bash in Australia is supported by players.
“I think the game has changed a lot over 50 years, we played timeless Tests, four-day games, three-day games, 50-over, 60-over, 55-over cricket. The game evolves.
“The balance is that it must be built by all 18 counties and the players and I hope we can air the views in a professional manner,” he added.