“The franchise system is something that the players back home have been crying out for for years”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England batsman Michael Carberry believes that the Natwest T20 Blast can attract the best cricketers in the world if the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) implement city-based franchises.

Carberry, who recently finished his successful stint with the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL), also admitted that England’s domestic Twenty20 competition is falling behind the rest of the world.

“They’ve (BBL) just got it right,” Carberry said. “The franchise system is something that the players back home have been crying out for for years. It works.

“You get the best of the best playing against each other in a short competition and with that you attract the best from overseas as well.

“All that added to the melting pot – the kit, the atmosphere and the way the games are sold to the kids makes for a great product.

“The players back home would definitely buy into a franchise system because our competition could do with a little revamp.

“Now the English guys are playing in these competitions and getting the experience of what it’s like to play in front of big crowds. It’s something that definitely has to be looked at.”