Does anyone care about county cricket any more?

I’d answer that question best with a quick review of my summer calendar. With three LVCC1 matches, one LVCC2, two FPT and three Twenty20 fixtures including the event of the domestic summer, finals day, already booked it seems a somewhat lopsided affair that I only plan to attend one international fixture.

Why? There are many reasons, but the simple truth is that  like many others, I simply prefer domestic cricket.

'County cricket is a perfect way to relax with friends, Pimm’s and sunshine'


I hate to say it, but international Twenty20, for one, is not nearly as fun or watchable as its domestic counterpart. For a start, English cricketers are about to begin their fifth Twenty20 season, the rest of the world have only recently leapt on the bandwagon, India less than a year ago.

With the volume of international cricket now played and the limited amounts players in the national side report for their county, few of them have played more than a handful of Twenty20 matches – yet they still get selected for the England Twenty20 side.

Ironically, this means that the quality of domestic Twenty20 is often higher.

Of course Twenty20 may be fun, fresh and exciting but it is not the only part of the county cricket season. The 50-over Friends Provident Trophy in the first part of the season and the Pro40 competition in the latter months provide variety that endless ODIs lack and the combination of a four-day competition covers all the bases.

This was illustrated in 2007 when four different counties won the four competitions. Whilst Australia’s dominance in both Test and ODI cricket can dull the shine of the international scene, the variety of the county season means that everyone stands a chance of glory.

The Test arena is undoubtedly the pinnacle of cricket, but that is not to say that its domestic counterpart is without its charm. A day spent relaxing at an LVCC match may not have the same intensity as a Test Match but it is cheaper, more laid back and less crowded. It is a perfect way to relax with friends, Pimm’s and sunshine.           

With three different national sides, the likelihood of seeing an international player in the county game is higher than ever and this helps add a little extra interest to the game. 

Of course, in freezing April temperatures you may wonder why you didn’t stay at home, but fans will always turn out, whatever the weather.