Royal London One Day Cup

Metro Cp Final

Great fightback from the Foxes after Hampshire had the 19-4, captain Hill (42) started a recovery, but at 89-6 Evans (60) and Swindells 117 no) added 151, and 267-7 was defended with a fantastic fielding performance as Hampshire fell short on 265-8.
A match worthy of a Final, but sadly a poor crown.

(16-09-2023 19:03 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  A match worthy of a Final, but sadly a poor crown.

Yes indeed Booms. I wonder why the crowd has so diminished in recent years?? Could it be a natural fall out from the way the ECB and the Media have treated it?? in how they have failed to show what it means by the way they have pushed other money making events at its expense?? Having said that, the numbers that were there today (not small in number either to be fair), were the type of fan that I - as a cricket fan all my life - value above some others who attend the 'glamour' matches. Those that followed Leic and Hants today were/are passionate about their clubs, and didn't go to find the 'camera lens', but to cheer their team(s) that mean so much to them! They are knowledgeable too, and can appreciate the ebb and flow of a proper contest (hail the pitch prep)

It was a great atmosphere in actual fact - yes there was chanting like at a football match, but with none of the bile that passes for 'lyrics' at the football -nice to see so many of the younger generation kitted out in the team shirts etc. in such a natural manner, not like some children who are dressed - particularly for football matches - because their dad - or whoever - has seen fit to daub them in the club colours for their own benefit as much as the boy/girl wearing them, or am I being too cynical??

^^ I think we're talking hardcore fans, mostly related to players, and their friends. I thought that the move away from Lords to the midlands made sense. Fans stopped travelling to London in big numbers, and then they made it worse when it became a day/night fixture, which required an expensive stopover for the Northern County supporters. But neighbours Leicester should've half-filled Trent Bridge, they did at least outnumber the Southern County and made the most noise.

The crowd today would be a good reflection of each county's members, but I suspect a very low turnout of casual supporters, due to the non-existent media interest and lack of any International stars.

The whole comp has the feel of a 2nd team a Cup with a few first teamers thrown in. I love 2nd XI cricket, but this is neither one thing nor the other.

Even the counties are unsure how to play this. If Vince plays, Hampshire maybe win. What about rising England star Rehan Ahmed for the Foxes.

This year Yorkshire won 10 2nd XI T20 group games on the bounce, a year after just 2 wins. They get to the semis & Derbyshire drafted in first teamers including their captain & knocked Yorkshire out. Imagine the outcry if Root, Bairstow, Malan, Brook & Rashid played.
Tkere has to be some way of protecting the integrity of the 50 over Cup & give it a proper identity. The Hundred have named squads at the start of the comp, with only changes allowed when overseas players leave, or injuries occur. Perhaps having fixed squads for the 50 over Cup with limited subs allowed would stop counties from second guessing themselves in terms of bringing players in from the Hundred.

^
1 I think that is true, but I don't quite understand the ' I can stomach cricket if I can see my 'heroes' and get a selfie and autograph, ask me to support the sport, and turn up to the exact same competition to watch unknown - but professional - players with a high skill set, and I do not want to know??

2 The cup may have the feel of a second XI comp, but - again - it is the same sport, played in the same way. if it has the feel or look of a second string comp, that is the direct responsibility of the ECB who have pursued greed over principle and history. there was no principle borne of the 'best interests of cricket' shown in this at all.

3 I am not so sure about that! On the one hand you could argue that the clubs are showing principle by sticking to the players they utilised throughout! On the other - and I tend to go for the first one - you could say that they are bolstering the ECB line that this comp is developmental, and low down on the list of priorities. Either way, it is clear that the Foxes found meaning in their win, and congrats again to them.

Your final point around the competitions integrity, I wholeheartedly agree with!