A T20 alternative ? Surely not necessary

I understand that the ECB feel the need to differentiate their new competition, that is due to get underway in 2020, but to reduce the proposed T20 format down to 100 balls a side ? Surely this is a gimmick gone too far!

While England's domestic T20 tournament has lost significant ground when comparing it with the success of similar competitions around the world - the IPL and the Big Bash in particular - the new proposal of 16.4 overs per side (with the option of a final 10 ball over) seems less ground breaking and more head scratching.

The T20 Blast has sufficient interest and quality of cricket in which to build upon, but a similar tournament run alongside it may seem like overkill, despite the eight-franchise idea. It's a desperate attempt to harness interest from the UK public (mums and kids according to Andrew Strauss) and the watching world as the ECB want to be seen as acting upon and taking advantage of a possible new craze. In reality they are finding a solution to the broadcasters request to slot in a game conducive to the requisite time allowance.

I have no doubts there were similar gripes from many cricket followers when the T20 was first discussed but this idea isn't as outlandish or as full of intrigue, it's a further gimmick on a gimmick and frankly holds little interest to me.

There is nothing wrong with thinking outside the box, but it needs to add something ultimately significant or fascinatingly alternative to the game, the players and the watching public rather than simply confusing all concerned and any potential newcomers to the sport with yet another format.

Then comes the question of how all this affects the County Championship ? Already marginalised in the county calendar, will the four-day format become even more of an afterthought in the marketing meetings at the ECB headquarters ?

Despite so many questions and uncertainty over the structure of county cricket there is still so much to enjoy and admire, especially in the longer format. Plenty of counties now show live streams of the Championship fixtures which is so appealing to many county cricket fans but this format must remain a vital competition despite the lack of funds it may bring in.

We have some outstanding cricketers on these shores this season for all the formats. There isn't too much wrong with our domestic game but we need to ensure the right decisions and changes are made in the upcoming years for the right reasons.