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On the subject of the 2nd XI/Provincial B competition.
I must say I’m really depressed that this competition is done and dusted in the space of 8 days, consisting of 5 one-dayers and 3 T20s and zero 3-dayers.
A while ago I looked up Jamie Fuller on the cricket archive, and was very envious of how he was ‘able’ to play basically 2 seasons of week-in/out professional 2nd XI cricket for Glouc, before making his way into the first XI.
I’m interested to know, and some guys on here may know, what cricketers who are below that central contract level do for jobs? Yet some/most of them still have the flexibility to play a game of say 4 day cricket if called up.
What I am thinking about is what is the viability of an amateur/semi-pro 2nd XI competition that lasts a few months. And also what are people opinions of 2-day cricket (single innings only, 100 overs each, ) as a form of the game at this level?
For example, while keeping the one week LO tournament at Lincoln during early Jan, how about also scheduling 2 day cricket during Dec, late Jan and early Feb? Preferably I would be thinking this would not clash with Saturday club cricket, so definitely an element of semi-pro - missing part of the working week is involved. I am talking 3 months here, not the 6 and half month retainer of the 12 Provincial Contracted guys
Calling all school teachers, university students, and early 20s guys still ambitious for a future contract …..
Then there is funding …. No retainers, but match/day fees, travel & accommodation.
So I am asking;
- Would that be financially viable from an NZC and the Provincial Associations POV?
- Would that be financially viable from those cricketers at that level POV?
- Would there likely to be issues with availability? Are these guys 5 days a week white collar workers, or are they ‘club pros’ etc, and students with time and flexibility
- Do people hate the idea of single innings circket (e.g. not good for spinners etc) or think it is still a good bridge between the levels?
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