A chair opposing the project said that the plans for the eight-team Twenty20 competition being proposed by the England & Wales Cricket Board "could prove the thin end of the wedge for the non-Test counties," according to Richard Hobson of the LONDON TIMES. Essex County Cricket Club Chair John Faragher "fears that the city-based clubs may replace the traditional counties in forming a top tier of the championship once their brands are established." The ECB has earmarked '20 to "introduce the so-called Super Charge," but Faragher "remains unconvinced" that plans presented to the board last week represent the "best way of giving the game a stimulus it probably needs." However, Sussex -- which along with Kent and Surrey voted against the idea as the “direction of travel,” wanting further research in September -- is "showing signs of warming to the ECB’s preference." Somerset is also "encouraged by the latest update despite initial reservations." Faragher said, "I am sure [England Cricket Managing Dir] Andrew Strauss going forward would like an eight-team championship where we end up with the same eight teams made up of the best players. The danger is of the rest being second-rate minor counties." Faragher prefers promotion and relegation in a competition involving all 18 counties. He said, "I would like that to be investigated" (LONDON TIMES, 12/20).
