Leicestershire fights its case as cricket considers change

The first round of this season's County Championship matches started this weekend to generally blue skies, but away from the playing fields, a storm is raging.

England's national team performed abysmally in the recent Cricket World Cup and was whitewashed in the last Ashes series, leading to growing calls for a total revamp of the domestic game.

Some argue the existing format, with 18 counties, means too many players, and a lower quality of cricket. But for others, the number of counties means more opportunities for talented youngsters to play at a competitive first class level, and greater access for supporters.

BBC News spent the day behind the scenes at Leicestershire County Cricket Club, who have not won a championship match for two and a half seasons, and found the Foxes are desperate to preserve their first class status.

Video Journalist: Dan Curtis

Commentary courtesy Richard Rae, BBC Leicester

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