Yorkshire CCC chief executive Mark Arthur’s warning on T20 Blast crowds

MARK ARTHUR believes that it would not be cost-effective for the T20 Blast to be played behind closed doors and feels that hopes of it proceeding are contingent on the government relaxing restrictions concerning gatherings of people.

The Yorkshire chief executive said that he had not completely given up hope of the County Championship being staged in some shape or form but admitted that it would be “a tough one to see” due to the need for overnight hotel stays.

However, there is greater optimism regarding the T20 Blast, which it is thought could still be held towards the end of the summer.

The 20-over format is the most lucrative for the counties and therefore their top priority now, but Arthur believes that it must be held in front of crowds to make it financially feasible.

“A crowd is vital,” he said. “That’s really why it’s being pushed back to August and September, as far as we can, in order that we’ve got the possibility of attracting crowds.

“If we don’t attract a crowd, then it’s just going to cost us more money to put the games on behind closed doors in bio-safe stadiums. We’re only in the middle of May now, so by the time we get to the middle of August things might be different, but that’s really the hope that we’re holding on to.”

The difficulty of playing in so-called “bio-safe” stadiums is emphasised by the fact that England’s entire international programme may necessarily be confined to two grounds this year: Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl and Lancashire’s Old Trafford, due to their sizeable on-site hotels.

There were reports that Emerald Headingley would make up a trio of such venues – reports immediately shot down by Arthur, who accepts that Yorkshire’s headquarters do not fit that bill.

“We just don’t have the accommodation on site,” he said. “Hampshire have got a 175-bedroom hotel, Old Trafford have got their new Hilton Hotel, whereas we’ve only got 36 bedrooms on-site (in the Headingley Lodge).

“It’s a non-starter for us to be considered for that reason, unfortunately, but I think that the concept of playing at just a couple of grounds is really needs-must.

“The value of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s broadcast deal is £1.1b, and with Tom Harrison (ECB chief executive) talking about a £380m black hole if there’s no cricket this year, if we do get international cricket, we’ll be saving the game between £200m-£250m over the course of the five-year (broadcast) deal.”

International cricket is thus the sport’s overall priority, with the ECB working tirelessly to make that happen. Arthur believes that the governing body deserves praise for its handling of the crisis.

“The ECB have shown great leadership,” he said. “They’re talking very closely with the government, they’re getting the very best medical and scientific advice, and they’re doing the best that they possibly can.

“In order for there to be international cricket this year, there needs to be opposition to play against, so they’re working very closely with West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia, who are all touring this year.

“They’ve got to convince those countries that it’s going to be safe for their players to come over here and play cricket, and, as counties, we’re doing everything that we can to support the ECB.”

Yorkshire’s cricketing priority – and Arthur’s too – will always be the County Championship. Regardless of the financial benefits of the white-ball formats, the four-day tournament remains county cricket’s soul and it is why the prospect of no Championship action is so painful for Yorkshire and their loyal members.

“Unless things change dramatically, you do question whether we’ll be able to play Championship cricket this year,” said Arthur. “As each day passes, you become more aware that it’s going to be very difficult because it involves overnight hotel stays.

“At the moment, we’ve got County Championship cricket programmed and also some 50-over programmed from the beginning of July, but, as the days pass and each 5pm bulletin from the government is presented, the prospect of Championship cricket becomes less and less likely.

“We’re still holding on to hope, but it’s a tough one to see.”

Arthur concluded: “Hopefully, we will still get some domestic cricket away, but what that looks like, I really don’t know at this moment in time; I don’t think anybody does. Effectively, we’re taking our lead from the government and, of course, the ECB.

“Some days I’m eternally optimistic about it all, and there’s other times when I’m not quite so positive.

“I’m sure our members and stakeholders feel exactly the same.”

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