ARE Lancashire in action this week? Who are they playing? What competition is that in?

I bet I am not the only one who is confused by the county schedule these days. I bet even the players themselves struggle to get their heads around the different structure their weeks take.

One minute they have to sharpen their skills for four-day cricket, then they have to attune themselves to a 40-over match before Twenty20 comes on the horizon.

The ad-hoc nature of the fixture list is unfair on players and supporters alike.

Why can't County Championship games start on a Tuesday with one-day competitions being played primarily on a Sunday?

Instead, matches are being played on a seemingly random basis.

This summer, counties will play more days of cricket than ever before. Quantity is certainly being put ahead of quality.

Progress was made when the Championship was split into two division and that has made for a more competitive competition.

Any one of the nine counties in the top tier can have ambitions of finishing in the top four.

However, because of the success of Twenty20 cricket that is, rightly, here to stay the sheer volume of cricket is getting too much.

Players are in real danger of burn-out. The people in charge of county cricket need to seriously consider splitting the Championship into three divisions now.

Six teams in each division playing each other twice is more than enough and will generate even more competition. Players would have more time to rest and improve their game in the nets, therefore producing more quality players for the England team.

Australia – the role model for all cricketing nations – have not done too badly through having lesser cricket being played at a higher intensity.

For instance, the current model in England is certainly not conducive to bringing through out-and-out quick bowlers.

One thing is for sure – players, coaches and spectators are not thought off too much when the fixture list is compiled.

IT is not just Britain that has been sitting under a big cloud this week.

The Indian Premier League has found itself below dark skies following bomb blasts and allegations of corruption against its top ranking officials.

The idea of the IPL is certainly an exciting one and it does a lot of good for cricket.

Anything that brings together the top players in the world and pitches them against each other is good for the game. As is the razzmatazz that surrounds it all and brings a new generation of lovers to cricket.

We can only hope the allegations against the competition's big cheese, Lalit Modi, are dispelled.