Interesting to read the comments, all rather unanimous about No Change Essex.
In reality the Club have never really had a clue how to approach T20, and from what I can tell, admittedly from afar, is that they formed their (rigid) tactics for the T20 in 2003 when the format was introduced and haven't really changed them since.
I think the difference is now the team appears to be full of players who are a); not suited to and therefore shouldn't be playing T20, or b); ones who are way past their best, but look to live out their past "glories". As opposed to the Grayson era when it clearly was the Club's overwhelming desire and increased desperation to win the competition, to the degree where ill-thought signings such as the selfish, underperforming Shah were primarily engaged to play in the tournament to the detriment of all else. Of course being an insular and defensively minded Club ECCC still insisted to the bitter end, when all evidence pointed otherwise that the Championship was their priority.
Now the Championship is the priority. - Personally I'm delighted that's the situation!
I doubt the crowds would have fallen too much in any case, after all, with the abysmal facilities, cramped nature and a tiny capacity it would be difficult not to claim a "sell-out" crowd.
However, come next season when T20 will be made largely peripheral by the Franchise cricket, then the sizeable minority from which these "sell-outs" comprise (largely consisting of summering football supporters) who will move on to the next thing.
