Two-tier county trial all set for lift-off

LONDON, APRIL 25. English county cricket begins a three-year experiment on Wednesday with the historic launch of a two- divisional championship.

A three-up and three-down system of promotion and relegation has been introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board to try to improve playing standards and increase public interest and spectator support.

The top nine counties last year, headed by champion Surrey, form the new First Division, but ironically six of the previous seven title winners - Glamorgan, Warwickshire, Middlesex, Essex, Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire - all start off in Division Two.

So too will the world's three premier strike bowlers, Allan Donald, Glenn McGrath and Shoaib Akhtar. They have been engaged on overseas contracts with Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire.

Essex's England captain Nasser Hussain together with free-scoring Australian batsmen Justin Langer (Middlesex), Matthew Elliott (Glamorgan) and Michael Bevan (Sussex) will also be operating in the second tier.

Inevitably, it has been Hampshire's recruitment of Shane Warne, who recently became Australia's record wicket-taker, that has attracted most attention. It has also sent Hampshire's membership soaring towards the 5,000 mark for the first time since signing former England captain David Gower.

His six month stay on the south-coast will cost Hampshire œ150,000 ($235,000) which his advisers expect could be quadrupled by media commitments and sponsorship endorsements.

But Hampshire captain Robin Smith is convinced Warne is more interested in wickets than financial rewards. ``He was ringing me virtually every week since January checking how things were going in the build-up to the season,'' said Smith. ``I've been really impressed at the way he wants to fully integrate himself into all aspects of the county.''

Warne said: ``playing county cricket is a challenge I have been looking forward to. My aim is to enjoy it, have a good time, make some new friends, and hopefully help Hampshire win something along the way.

``In 10 years' time, when I've retired, I'll remember the friends I've made rather than any wickets I might have taken. That's the main reason I play the game.''

Surrey starts favourite to repeat its 1999 title triumph, not least because Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who bagged 58 wickets in just seven matches last season, is available for an additional five championship outings.

But Lancashire, chasing a first outright title for 76 years, could run it close under the eagle-eye of coach Bobby Simpson, the former Australian captain and manager. New Indian captain Sourav ganguly is a valuable addition to the ranks.

First Division: Derbyshire, Durham, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Somerset, Surrey, Yorkshire.

Second Division: Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Sussex, Warwickshire, Worcestershire.

Opening day fixtures: First Division: Derbyshire v Leicestershire, Kent v Lancashire, Somerset v Surrey. Second division: Glamorgan v Sussex, Nottinghamshire v Northamptonshire, Worcestershire v Glamorgan.

- Reuters

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