October 10 Thursday 2002
Morgan split on divisions

LONDON: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Chairman, David Morgan has expressed his opposition to the two-division County Championship.

Speaking for the first time since his election to the job last month, Morgan said he was unsure the move to promotion and relegation was a good idea.

"When we introduced it we did so in order to raise the standard. I'm not at all sure it is doing that," he said.

"Look at the bowlers who will be in the second division next year. Well, wouldn't we be better off having 18 counties playing in the one division?"

However, Morgan expressed his continued support for the county system, stating that the counties were the only way to develop talent.

"I believe the counties are sacrosanct; we need 18 centres of excellence to funnel this talent through and up the system.

Morgan was elected by the member counties, beating off the challenge of Surrey chairman Mike Soper.