ECB Chair Labels Schedule 'Relentless' as Blast Group Games Are Cut Next Season

Overview

• Richard Thompson said cricket "arguably does play too much" and pointed to effectively having a World Cup every year.
• The ECB will reduce T20 Blast group-stage fixtures from 14 to 12 next season, with counties still weighing changes to the Championship.
• New investors in The Hundred want England players available throughout the tournament, which sits between an India ODI series and a Pakistan Test.
• England rested Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith for the T20 series against South Africa after a five-Test India series that went five days each and left players fatigued.
• Part of the £520m raised from selling stakes in The Hundred will clear debt, with about £50m earmarked for grassroots and plans to expand indoor 'dome' facilities.