Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson attended a meeting at Lord's earlier this week where the future pattern of the first class game was under discussion.

When I asked him what progress had been made at the meeting Mr Anderson told me," Discussions between the counties are intensifying over the proposals to drop one of the one day competitions in favour of a twenty over 4.15pm - 8.15pm affair and all counties have agreed that they must have both a marketing and a business plan in place before any decision is made."

He continued, "As far as Somerset is concerned it's fan base, be that members and non members indicates that they like the early season knock out cup competition. At that time of the year the financial advantages of the cup are in the hands of the weather. Some counties, not Somerset, have indicated that over the years that they have had poor returns."

Mr Anderson went on, "Advocates of the proposals point to the commercial benefits of floodlit cricket, and the assumption is that for two or three home matches with an after work proposed start and end time similar audiences would be attracted."

The chief continued, "Somerset acknowledge that grounds situated in a centre of high population stand a chance of attracting an audience for a short game. Our view is that in a rural area where many of the supporters have to travel substantial distances for home matches that it is unlikely that they will do so for a four hour match at the end of the working day."

He concluded "Somerset would not be against the proposals if it was in addition to rather than instead of the early season one day competition, but notice must be taken of coaches and players, who think that an additional competition would be too hard and therefore the best players, particularly bowlers would probably not play which will lessen the attraction."

© SOMERSET