Kevin Pietersen suggests franchise red-ball cricket in England with overseas players
Kevin Pietersen believes it is time the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) go ahead and discuss the idea of introducing a franchise-based red-ball cricket tournament in the UK.
Pietersen, in a series of tweets, advocated for the introduction of a franchise model in English first-class scene, stating that the aim is to strengthen the domestic game and save Test cricket in the country.
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“The ECB decided in 2015 to prioritise white ball cricket. They won the WC & now have a franchise tournament. Now is the time to franchise red ball cricket. Strengthen all the teams. Good players survive, others don’t. Test cricket will die if they don’t!”, Pietersen tweeted.
The ECB decided in 2015 to prioritise white ball cricket. They won the WC & now have a franchise tournament.
Now is the time to franchise red ball cricket. Strengthen all the teams. Good players survive, others don’t.
Test cricket will die if they don’t!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) July 31, 2021
In the tournament conceptualised in his head by Kevin Pietersen, existing 18 county clubs will be merged to form eight franchise teams, who will play “8-10 four day games a summer.” These teams, Pietersen tweeted, can feature upto two overseas players in a particular playing XI.
By franchising red ball county cricket, I mean combining 3/4 counties together, like The .
Play 8-10 four day games a summer.
The best players survive. There’s way too many average players calling themselves 1st class cricketers!
That’s how you create red ball depth!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) July 31, 2021
Franchised red ball:
8 city based teams.
2 overseas players.
NO kolpak.— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) July 31, 2021
Kevin Pietersen bats to strengthen the England domestic first-class system
Pietersen, who has always batted for the refinement of the English domestic first-class system, opined that a franchise-based red-ball tournament will help separate the wheat from the chaff in terms of the playing talent and aid a higher level of competition, which would then benefit the England Test side.
And maybe one day the ECB will listen to me.
I’ve called for franchise cricket for 10yrs in this country and check the viewing numbers on TV now – they’re UNREAL!Don’t KILL Test Cricket, @englandcricket! JUST DON’T!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) July 31, 2021
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However, with his proposal to restructure the first-class system in UK, Pietersen only attracted more criticism his way. The 41-year-old called out the “unnecessary” abuse that was hurled at him once his tweets came to light.
And all my thoughts and opinions on this come from a place where I desperately want Test Cricket to still be the pinnacle.
It’s unnecessary to swear at me and call me names cos of it.
It’s ok to disagree, but to respond like some of you are doing –— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) July 31, 2021
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One reason why cricket’s traditional base decried the idea advocated by the ex right-hand batsman is that it would bring about an end to the longstanding 18-team first-class county model in a way The Hundred threatens to do in the future.