Amid concerns about stagnation and the growth of The Hundred, the Vitality Blast – often regarded as the financial backbone of county cricket – is contemplating a shake-up. The current setup consists of two regional groups of nine teams each, leading to repeated matchups between the same teams.

Counties are deliberating over an overhaul that would discard the regional structure and instead introduce two groups based on seedings derived from performance. This strategic shift aims to introduce freshness into the competition by offering teams the opportunity to face new opponents. For instance, highly successful teams like Surrey and Yorkshire have crossed paths only once in T20 matches.

Proposed reforms intend to uphold fierce local derbies that often yield substantial revenue for counties. The plan suggests that prior to the group draw, counties would be ensured at least one or two encounters with local rivals. Subsequently, the remaining group stage matches would be organized according to the seeding system.

The envisioned hybrid model aspires to maintain high-profile matches that fans eagerly anticipate, while diversifying the pool of opponents. This change could lead to greater enthusiasm among fans and even encourage visits to different grounds. Additionally, retaining local rivalries could alleviate the additional travel strain on players.

This potential alteration in group stage dynamics forms a part of a broader series of changes under scrutiny for the 2024 T20 Blast. The overarching goal is to augment total attendance, which exceeded 800,000 in 2023. Plans involve scheduling more group matches on Friday nights and weekends – optimal periods for counties – to attract larger crowds. This strategic approach aims to establish a culture of making cricket matches a must-watch experience.

The knockout stages of the upcoming tournament might witness a shift, with discussions revolving around postponing the quarter-finals and finals day – previously held on July 15 – to September, following The Hundred.

The impending summer of 2024 poses unique challenges for the T20 Blast, notably due to the T20 World Cup occurring in the West Indies and the USA from June 4 to June 30. The World Cup not only sidelines England’s star players but also international talents from various nations. Adding to the packed summer calendar are the football European Championships in Germany (June 14 – July 14) and the Olympic Games in Paris (July 26 – August 11).