ECB Announce 2005 Domestic Fixtures

ECB Announce 2005 Domestic Fixtures
(Full Fixtures, see end of report)

2005 will offer more domestic cricket than ever before as the national summer sport resumes on April 8th and concludes on September 25th 2005.

If this Cricket Web reporter can still do maths it will equate to a massive 722 matches and 1,586 possible days of cricket to be played at domestic level in the summer of 2005 and that's not inculding UCCE, Touring teams and friendlies games to be played and a huge summer of International cricket when the Australians and Bangladesh sides arrive.


County Championship

Frizzell county champions Warwickshire will play MCC at Lord's on Friday April 8 in the traditional season curtain-raiser before their title defence begins in earnest against Glamorgan on Wednesday April 13 then onto runners up from last season Kent at Canterbury.


Twenty20 Cup

Many people said it wouldn't work... Many people said don't change a winning forumla... People said don't over do it... Well to all of those people Sorry! The ECB have for the third season added even more games to the high octane version of the game which will now see a total of 79 matches a increase of 27 games from 2004.

In its inaugural year there were 45 Twenty20 matches which increased to 52 matches in 2004 and will grow again to 79 games in the six weeks leading to the floodlit final at The Brit Oval on July 31.

An expanded group phase of the Twenty20 Cup will see Leicestershire begin the defence of their crown on June 22 against Nottinghamshire at Grace Road.

The expansion of the group stages ensures that all counties are guaranteed four Twenty20 home games. Seven group matches in all will be played under lights at Chelmsford, Hove and Sophia Gardens.


The Totesport League

Glamorgan will be aiming to retain the totesport League title The totesport League welcomes the Middlesex Crusaders, Worcestershire Royals and Nottinghamshire Outlaws to Division One as Glamorgan's Dragons aim to retain their dominance of the competition for a second season.

Thirty three matches will be played under lights with the final matches ending the season on September 25.

John Carr, ECB Director of Cricket, said: "Domestic cricket is enjoying a well-earned renaissance with talented players, close matches and some of the largest crowds on record supporting the Twenty20 Cup. With an exciting international season already announced for 2005 we anticipate a huge rise in the interest around the game as a whole and county cricket can capitalise on this upsurge in a sporting season where cricket will take centre stage."


Your Team's Fixtures In Summary