Well aware of that and I don't doubt that their position on this owes much to self interest, nevertheless they have increased their crowds over the years to the stage that they are now introducing a ballot for the Middlesex game next year. The ECB plan is all about increasing control over the counties and funnelling funds to the northern and midlands cities bransgroveshire and others who have spent heavily on their grounds, but have failed to attract decent crowds. Anything else is a red herring. Pity Farragher, whatever he says now, did not oppose it at beginning.
