CRICKET must “find some compromise” over “radical” plans to overhaul the domestic calendar amid opposition from counties, says England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Thompson.

He said plans to cut the number of matches were “a sacrifice I’m prepared to try to sell to the counties”.

But he added, “whether some of the proposals being suggested are a bridge too far needs to be decided”.

Any changes must be agreed by two-thirds of the 18 first-class counties.

Thompson, the most powerful figure in the English game who took over last month, warned that international cricket is now facing an “existential problem” with the “threat” of overseas Twenty20 franchise leagues luring top players away.

“We are foreseeing that as a challenge,” he said. “We can’t allow that to play out.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Thompson also told BBC Sport:
The top division would be cut to just six teams, with dedicated windows for the One-Day Cup, T20 Blast and The Hundred.

But the proposals have sparked division with a number of counties vowing to oppose the changes on behalf of their members, and Thompson has now hinted the plans could be watered down.

“This is a high-performance review to create a thriving domestic structure and ensure that England reach the top,” said the former Surrey chairman. “That requires radical change.

“I remain a champion of the counties, and we need to find some compromise here to ensure that the counties come onside and see the need for change.

“If we have the best players continually available and England are winning in all formats, and we have to sacrifice some cricket for that, then I truly believe that’s a sacrifice that I’m prepared to try to sell to the counties.

“But I do fully sympathise with where they are because they represent their members.”

Thompson said compromises needed to be sought but added he “did not want division in the game”.

“I want people to come together and agree a way forward,” he said.

“I think we will resolve this because people understand that pressure from outside leagues now. We need a solution and a better schedule.”

‘EXISTENTIAL PROBLEM’
Thompson insisted English cricket had to act because of the “threat” of overseas T20 tournaments luring players away from international cricket.

“We have never had a situation where a player could be offered a central contract by England and reflect on whether they want to sign it – that’s unprecedented,” he said.

“We are foreseeing that as a challenge, particularly as you’re looking at singular owners owning multiple teams, so you could sign to one owner and play in their three sides. Follow the sun – be like a golfer, or a tennis player and be on their tour as opposed to playing for England … it’s a threat.

“We have to have a schedule that protects certain parts of our season. We need to somehow find that balance, which is why things being suggested are so contentious.”
The ECB commissioned the review after England’s disastrous Ashes tour of Australia last winter which ended in a 4-0 defeat.

It hoped to have a final decision by November with an intention to implement the changes in time for the 2024 season.

The ECB also hopes a revised schedule will allow a greater balance between red- and white-ball cricket, produce higher-quality matches, and ease the strain on players’ workloads.

“This is a democratic process,” said Thompson.

“That process may take longer than we hoped for, but the most important thing is we get the right outcome for the game. We don’t rush it.”

‘TOO MUCH CRICKET’
Earlier this year England all-rounder and Test captain Stokes retired from one-day internationals and Thompson admitted there was now “too much cricket” in the “extraordinary” international calendar, and that it had become “untenable”.

“We have a duty of care to our players – their physical health as well as their mental health,” Thompson said.

“And we don’t want someone like Ben Stokes, the best player in the world at the time, to have to make that decision.”

Thompson hailed Stokes’ “extraordinary” and “compelling” approach to the game after leading a resurgent England side this summer and said he had met him in an attempt to “build bridges”.

Stokes said he had to be talked out of quitting international cricket after feeling let down by the ECB following his arrest in Bristol in 2017
Stokes played his last ODI at Chester-le-Street in July

Thompson opposed the introduction of The Hundred tournament when at Surrey, but two years after the tournament was launched, he admits elements of it have won him over, albeit with a cost to other formats.

“Cricket is paying a big price for four competitions, that’s for sure,” he said.

“I think it will be worth it because of the financial gain, which is an important part of the reason why The Hundred was put together, and reaching a new audience which has such a significant value. It’s been a revelation for women’s cricket.

“There are still lots of creases to iron out. It’s not perfect by any means, but it’s proven that there is something worth pursuing there.

“I don’t want to see other brands diminished as a result of The Hundred; so, as an example, we cannot allow the Blast to struggle.

“Hopefully I can ensure that the Blast is invested in as well as The Hundred and you don’t have one competition cannibalising another.

“The game needs to work very hard to ensure that isn’t the case.”

Meanwhile, the ECB has offered to host Tests between India and Pakistan.

The two rivals have not played each other in Tests since 2007 because of political tensions, but have met in white-ball tournaments.

Despite the ECB offer, it is thought it would take a shift in political mood for the two to play Test cricket anywhere. Pakistan have only just had Tests return to their own country, so would be reluctant to once again shift to a neutral venue. (BBC Sport)