• There was concern around the One-Day Cup being ‘dumbed down’ as a competition, but the majority felt there was merit in playing it at the start of the season if it gave the best players a chance to compete and received more support in the media. Mark Robinson explained how it would also give those fringe T20 players an opportunity to stake their claim in the Bears squad. The current lack of opportunity creates friction with players across all Counties as they now see the Blast as a stepping stone in to the Hundred and lucrative franchise circuit.