Yesterday at their informal autumn meeting, the 18 First Class counties discussed, among other things, the financial circumstances facing cricket and, in particular, the £3m shortfall in expected England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) income from international ticket sales.

The counties re-affirmed their support for the way the ECB is managing the situation, and expressed confidence that the short-term financial difficulties of the ECB will be overcome.

David Morgan, Chairman of the First Class Forum, said:

"Nobody could have foreseen that so many Test matches would end so prematurely this summer, and this is the root cause of cricket's financial difficulties at the moment.

The First Class Forum understands this and has every faith in the ECB management to resolve matters.

"The successful summer that England enjoyed has given cricket a far better operating climate in which to develop our commercial activities, and that can only be good for the game".

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