Here at The Rose Bowl we can still look forward to a potential day out at Lord’s in 2010, but it will not be to defend the Friends Provident Trophy.

The 50 over competition has been abolished by the ECB and replaced with a revamped 40 over extravaganza. In a move designed to decrease the stale and stagnant middle overs and increase the excitement, the innings have been reduced by 10 overs and powerplays boosted to a total of 16. Powerplays will mirror One Day Internationals on a pro rata basis; that is a mandatory eight overs at the start followed by two blocks of four overs each, one instigated by the fielding captain and the other by the batting side.

The Clydesdale Bank 40 League will consist of three groups of seven teams, with the sides playing each other home and away. With only the group winners and the best second-placed team qualifying for the semi finals it promises to be a frantic fight to the finish for the Counties and the three additional teams; Scotland, The Netherlands and an ECB Recreational XI. The showpiece final will take place at the home of cricket on Saturday September 18th with the majority of the group games taking place on Sunday afternoons.

The Royals road to Lord’s looks long and winding as we have been drawn in the dreaded ‘group of death’ along with Durham, Kent, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Scotland.  We open our campaign away at Durham on Sunday April 25th before entertaining Warwickshire Bears two days later. A trip to Grace Road to face the Foxes concludes Group C for Giles White’s men on Saturday September 4th.

White has reinvigorated the County’s one day form; the team is now a powerful and athletic unit capable of beating anyone. Michael Lumb and Jimmy Adams are arguably the most feared opening partnership on the circuit and were integral to last season’s success. The acquisition of Ajantha Mendis will massively strengthen the Royals wicket taking potential in the middle overs; the unorthodox spinner has snared 71 wickets in 36 One Day Internationals at the astonishing average of 16.36.

With this exciting embryonic tournament being born next season, let’s hope for a nice piece of symmetry with the last winners of the Friends Provident claiming the inaugural Clydesdale Bank 40 title.  

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