A reduction in the county championship matches from 14 to 12 is “the only reasonable option” to try to protect the physical and mental well -being for domestic cricketers, according to the players’ union.
A professional cricketers’ association (PCA) study found that 83 percent of its members kept concern about the physical effect of the schedule and two -thirds had concerns from a mental health point of view.
Counties have had discussions about changes in the calendar for next year, with Warwickshire Seamer and PCA chairman Olly Hannon-Dalby, calling for a reduction in the crowd of Rødball Cricket.
“We are at a critical moment in terms of the future of professional cricketers in England and Wales. The schedule has always been a contentious question and we have seen too many reviews without change,” Hannon-Dalby said.
“But the feeling in recent seasons due to the ever -increasing intensity of fixtures has led the game to a position where positive actions must be taken immediately and as an opportunity for the game to grow.
“A change in the format of the county championship to 12 league matches is the only reasonable opportunity and would breathe new life into what I think would be the best red ball competition in the world.”
A result of what the 2026 form looks is expected this month, and any changes require the support of at least 12 of the 18 counties, some of which have publicly expressed their preferences.
Middlesex, Somerset and Surrey support the status quo of 14 matches, while Durham and Lancashire are for a dozen game and a shaker of the current two-division structure.
PCA characters highlighted more than three-quarters of men’s players believe there is too much domestic cricket and 72 percent feel the current program is not conducive to high performance.
England and Warwickshire Seamer Chris Woakes said, “The players don’t try to play less cricket because they don’t want to – it’s about being able to produce the best cricket on the field as possible.”
England’s Chris Woakes said players will continue to play cricket and produce the best they can in the field
Teams playing twice in two days in the Vitality explosion have long been a concern in which PCA CEO Daryl Mitchell warned about the potential for “catastrophic” consequences on roads last year.
It seems that the domestic English T20 competition will undergo a renewal and return to three groups of six – these are currently two sets of nine – with each team playing 12 instead of 14 matches.
But Mitchell said, “The overload of the intense schedule cannot be improved enough by losing two 20-over matches across a six-month season alone.”
England and Essex Seamer Sam Cook added: “You hear stories of people running at three, four in the morning in the middle of the back-to-back (blast) game, which from a health and lifestyle perspective is not right.
“We will see these decisions made before anything serious happens.
“We are unable to perform at the highest level we can because of the current schedule. We have got some amazing talent and brilliant cricketers in the country. I think that reducing cricket will fans and supporters see the standard go up.”