Billy Godleman backs conference system

Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman has come out in favour of the conference system as long as it does not mean a reduction in the number of first-class matches over a season.
Billy Godleman is proud of how Derbyshire performed in the Bob Willis Trophy.Billy Godleman is proud of how Derbyshire performed in the Bob Willis Trophy.
Billy Godleman is proud of how Derbyshire performed in the Bob Willis Trophy.

The Bob Willis Trophy saw a change in structure this campaign with matches being played in regional leagues rather than the usual two divisions.

"I'm a big fan of the conference format but with a couple of stipulations moving forward,” he said.

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“I think the three conferences of six is a great way to keep more competitive cricket going for longer although I would have a strong preference for it not to be regionalised.

"If there was a way it could be done where there were three groups of six but it could potentially be seeded so we wouldn't be playing the same northern group teams I think that would work nicely.

"My only other thought on this is that if you play home and away in a conference of six that would work out at 10 games and for me personally, and from speaking to other guys in the game, I wouldn't want the number of first-class matches to drop.”

Head of Cricket, Houghton, says the resilience shown by the players has been a huge positive, and believes the confidence from the Bob Willis Trophy will flow into next year.

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“I thought this season was some of the best four-day cricket we’ve played since I’ve been back,” Houghton said.

“There was a lot of positives, especially when you consider most of our bowling attack has first-class appearances in the single figures before this season, and they’ve produced the goods."

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