Twenty20 quarter-finals extended

It's time for the latest instalment in that erratic but highly popular series - the ECB apply some logical thinking to their scheduling.

A statement from them this afternoon announced that there will be a second - yes, second - day of Twenty20 quarter-finals this year. The reason? Why, "to allow the matches to be completed", of course, seeing as Notts v Kent was totally washed out today, and Gloucestershire v Worcestershire at Bristol was also rain-affected. Brilliant.

The decision has, of course, been made with provisos, which run as follows (and I hope you're ready for this):

1) Every effort must be made to achieve a result on the original scheduled date bearing a mind that a minimum of five overs per team constitutes a match.

2) All calculations in respect of overs to be bowled on day one to constitute a match will be in accordance with the scheduled playing time of day one.

3) Should play be called off at any time on day one then play shall recommence on day two from the point at which the last ball was bowled and under the conditions pertaining to the match at that time.

4) The playing hours for day two shall be agreed between the two counties involved and approved by the umpires and ECB.

5) No bowl-out will take place on day one but should a result not be possible on day two then a bowl-out will ensue.

Clear?

Here's what ECB chief executive David Collier had to say: "The counties involved and ECB wanted to provide the best possible opportunity for a result to be achieved on the field of play. This decision provides that opportunity and was unanimously agreed between all eight counties involved and the ECB. I would like to thank all the counties involved and Sri Lanka A [who have had their tour match postponed due to this rescheduling] for their assistance in these exceptional circumstances and also thank spectators for their patience and understanding." [Carrie Dunn] [Image: Getty]