Test counties demand more ECB cash

England's Test-match counties have warned that ambitious plans for ground improvements, alongside the bidding war for international fixtures, could result in financial turmoil unless the ECB increases financial support to the counties and guarantees international games.

The nine counties that host international cricket were promised a further meeting next week with Giles Clarke, after making their case for greater funding and a less aggressive tendering process at the ECB's annual meeting at Lord's on Thursday.

Their efforts will have knock-on effects throughout the domestic game in England. Not only could the smaller counties, already in financially precarious position, lose money but other areas such as women's and amateur cricket could also be affected.

The counties who have category A grounds - those capable of hosting Tests - originally set up a working party to plan their campaign in March over "a growing concern about the long-term sustainability and viability of the current Test match venues," according to a Yorkshire statement.

In recent years hosting rights have increasingly been decided purely by the highest bid, rather than other factors, and with many international venues spending plenty improving facilities, English cricket has been left needing to supply a hefty number of international matches to meet the counties' needs.

The overbidding has left counties in a vulnerable position, with rain-affected Tests leaving them fearing heavy losses. "These nine grounds have invested substantial amounts of capital into the redevelopment of their stadiums in recent years. Indeed, many are still in the process of completing substantial capital programmes," Yorkshire said.

"It is important that these grounds are able to deliver an acceptable return on investment from these assets. The current bidding process for grounds to stage major matches has resulted in substantial financial pressure across the game and created risk for venues, which needs to be addressed."

The review will last two months, at which point the Test counties will deliver their own recommendations to the ECB.