In an attempt to modernise domestic cricket, the Professional Game Group (PGG) was tasked with overseeing the reform process alongside the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the County Championship. A report by The Guardian, revealed fears that announcing changes prematurely could prompt Division One sides at risk of dropping down to field weakened teams, knowing relegation might no longer loom. With Worcestershire already mathematically confirmed for demotion under the current format despite valiant tons from Gareth Roderick and Ethan Brookes in recent outings, the uncertainty affects multiple clubs.
Under the status quo, the bottom two in Division One are relegated, but a shift to a 12-team top division could spare Worcestershire and
alter the fates of others teetering on the edge. As the 2025 County Championship hurtles towards its climax, several counties reportedly face the final round of matches next week in a state of limbo, unaware of the true stakes involved.
A pivotal vote on restructuring the competition for next season has been reportedly postponed until after the campaign concludes, leaving teams battling relegation, such as Durham, Hampshire, and Yorkshire in the dark about. The delay, reportedly driven by concerns over match integrity and the need to secure the required 12 votes from the 18 first-class counties, underscores the ongoing tensions in English cricket's domestic landscape.
The recommended structure will segregate the teams into Division One and Two: Report
The report further claims that the consultation process, which kicked off in April, has been a protracted affair marked by shifting proposals and deep divisions. Counties will ultimately vote via online secret ballots issued next week, though the deadline remains unconfirmed, and no public announcement will precede the season's end on September 27. The ballot presents a binary choice: retain the existing 10-team Division One and eight-team Division Two structure, with each side playing 14 matches, or adopt a revamped 12-six split. In the proposed model, backed by the PGG and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA), Division One would comprise 12 teams divided into two pools of six, playing 12 or 13 fixtures apiece, a reduction from the current 14. The remaining six counties would form a streamlined Division Two, enhancing promotion opportunities and injecting more competitiveness into the top tier.
Division One standings, as per ESPNcricinfo update, show Surrey atop with an impregnable lead, but the relegation scrap is razor-tight. Worcestershire's fate is sealed, but Durham (with captain Scott Borthwick leading a resilient side), Hampshire (bolstered by overseas stars), and Yorkshire (grappling with off-field issues) enter their last games, such as Yorkshire's clash with Sussex without clarity. A 12-team Division One would promote three from Division Two (likely frontrunners like Leicestershire) and relegate only the bottom performer from each pool, potentially reshaping the landscape mid-season. Critics argue this limbo could undermine the competition's integrity, echoing past ECB missteps like the 2017 division realignments that sparked backlash.
