Essex chief East believes billionaire Stanford has got it wrong

7:15pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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ESSEX chief executive David East believes billionaire Allen Stanford's proposals for an English version of the IPL would be a disater.

East speaking in the wake of Stanford's proposals, believes a merger of counties to poroduce regional sides would hit the domestic game hard.

"The ECB constitution states that any major changes to the county set-up would need to be voted for and ratified by the counties themselves," he said.

"It's impossible to believe they would vote for it."

With Twenty20 cricket growing in stature internationally East stressed that the county game still had a very important role to play in the game.

"The ECB and the counties have a responsibility to protect the integrity of domestic cricket, which should remain the breeding ground for the next generation of England cricketers," East told the BBC.

"There's no easy solution. The situation is moving quicker than decisions can be made. The ECB must look into a solution that fits in with the county set-up and the international programme."