Apparently such a section isn't allowed. However, there are several 'stooges' profiting from dirty money and ego trip money making schemes, all of which neglect the fans and, perhaps most importantly, the grassroots. If only bringing cricket into all state schools, encouraging schools to bring their pupils to county games for free, and putting cricket back on free-to-air TV were at all possible *rolls eyes*.
Teams the ICC should just give up on funding
Mainly teams full of expats that make little or no effort to involve locals in the game. I understand expats are needed to spread the game in countries like Bulgaria and Turkey, but when a country has been a member of the ICC for over 20 years then it just gets stupid to keep funding them. The ICC should not waste money on the following countries.
Canada aka Asian & West Indian Rejects XI & Canasia
Compounded by the ludicrous selection of Sybrand Engelbrecht in their 2023 WC squad – a 35 year old South African.
Oman aka Pakistan and Indian Rejects XI - in this recent match, not a single of the Omani players came from Oman.
Italy... whom I shall christen the "Mostly Italian-sounding names but not Italian XI". In one of the most ludicrous poaching's of recent times, Wayne Madsen, a 39-year-old who has played field hockey for South Africa and county cricket in England, suddenly becomes Italian courtesy of his Italian grandmother. Why fund these teams who are so blatant in their disregard to actually spreading the game and developing their own players?
For all your work creating Hampshire articles, I know from experience that even tiny cricket articles aren't as easy as they look! Now.. about Somerset.. Harrias (talk) 22:58, 2 March 2010 (UTC)
For your incredible industry on the articles for individual cricket players from every corner of the UK and beyond. Johnlp (talk) 20:27, 17 August 2011 (UTC)
A non Barnstar Barnstar. The Doctor salutes you!
A virtual warm ale and poor quality radio for TMS, for all your good work on improving cricket coverage, my dear boy. Benny DigitalSpeak Your Brains 14:26, 21 October 2011 (UTC)
The Special Barnstar
For your many article contributions, especially to cricket related articles. CRICKET ROCKS!!Solar Police►Talk 13:01, 10 November 2011 (UTC)
The Afghanistan Barnstar of National Merit
I hereby award you this barnstar for your outstanding work on Cricket articles of Afghanistan in Wikipedia.--Ahmadfaisalsidiqi (talk) 11:25, 18 December 2011 (UTC)
The Modest Barnstar
In recognition of all the work you’ve done lately! 67.80.64.128 (talk) 22:53, 15 April 2012 (UTC)
The Cricket Barnstar
For all your contributions to Cricket articles........I award you the first cricket bad ever awarded..
Yes, County Cricket isn't in the best financial health, but hopefully the County Championship will admit a new county in the future... but who? My money is on either:
Forget the abomination that is The Hundred, or reducing the first-class counties, there are so many options for restructuring English cricket, heres some ideas.
First-class cricket
In 2020 the Bob Willis Trophy was played, dividing the 18 first-class counties into 3 groups: North, Central, South. This is an excellent idea (yes the ECB are occasionally capable of them), reducing the travel time between counties and reducing costs too. Matches should be played in the week, mostly at smaller county outgrounds (for example Hampshire: Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Winchester, Andover) with free tickets for schools to come along for the day and coaches on hand as part of the day. This should be continued as a restructured County Championship, with the top three from each group, plus the best runner-up qualifying for the semi-finals and a final played at Lord's.
List A cricket
Played to the 50-over format, in a round robin played on weekends. Should involve all 18 first-class counties, plus all 20 minor counties, plus the four provincial teams from Ireland. Depending on opponent, matches played at outgrounds or major venues. Final played at Lord's and at least half the matches on free-to-air TV.
Twenty20 cricket
Keeping the t20 blast format, this should be played in a block around mid-late July/early-mid August, in the evenings and weekends. Involving all 18 first-class counties, plus the finalists of the Minor Counties t20 competition, all matches free-to-air and hosted, where possible, at major venues to maximise ticket revenues. Tickets cheap, especially for kids.
The Hundred
Scrapped
Hampshire expansion project
My own little project to expand coverage on Hampshire cricketers. Below is the list of completed (nothing is ever truly completed!) expansions: