National Counties Cricket Association: 200,000+ people watched National Counties cricket this season.
The National Counties Cricket season may have wrapped months ago, but for NCCA Operations Manager Richard Logan, the work never really stops. Catch him after the final ball in September or at any point through November and the energy barely changes. He’s already deep in reviews, planning, and—crucially—plotting how to keep raising the bar for a competition that has quietly become one of the most competitive, entertaining tiers of cricket anywhere in England and Wales.
Looking back, 2024 will go down as one of the strongest seasons in recent memory. Not because everything ran perfectly—although the weather certainly helped—but because the cricket itself was consistently box-office. Three different counties lifted the three trophies, and yet the margins everywhere felt razor-thin.
Dorset were the headline act. A young squad, a smartly evolving setup behind the scenes, and a leader in Luke Webb who, as Logan puts it, “naturally galvanises his troops.” Their white-ball surge set the tone: losing T20 finalists, one-day champions, and competitive across the Championship. Their buy-in to the new MVP team leaderboard, which rewards points earned across all formats, helped keep motivation sky-high from April through August. Naturally, they topped that table too.
But Dorset weren’t alone. Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Northumberland, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk—pick a name and you’ll find compelling cricket. Bucks eventually claimed the Championship final, powered by a season of consistency and capped by a left-arm spin showdown that produced history. That’s where Conor Haddow rewrote a century-old bowling record, finishing a season Logan described as “exceptional… backed up across every format, club, county and challenges.”
The secret sauce? Competitiveness. Everywhere. Almost no dead rubbers. Even drawn games, Logan insisted, were often “captivating”—Staffordshire’s last-ball thrillers being the prime examples. With three teams qualifying in T20 groups, promotion and relegation in the Championship, and the introduction of cross-format MVP incentives, counties always have something real to play for.
Another big step forward came off the field. For the first time, every white-ball match was live streamed, with around 30 fixtures receiving two-camera setups to give spectators a proper behind-the-arm broadcast view. It wasn’t perfect—technical headaches are part of the game—but it pushed viewership from 115,000 to over 200,000 in a year. The next frontier? Commentary on every match, full two-camera coverage, and a long-term eye on attracting a broadcast partner.
“We’re not selling a concept anymore,” Logan noted. “We’re selling data.” And with the brand strengthening, sponsors have followed. Cluberly came in as Championship partners, Dojo backed T20 Finals Day, and energy provider TUS signed recently—each chosen not just for investment but for how they can actively support host clubs.
All this feeds a wider trend: National Counties cricket has never been younger, fitter, or closer to the professional game. The eligibility rules—requiring a core of homegrown players—have embedded genuine pathways. The list of players earning first-team county contracts grows every year, from Rory Hayden (Derbyshire) to Zen Malik (Warwickshire), Nikhil Gorantla (Surrey), and rising talents across Hampshire and beyond. As Logan put it: “Statistically, no one can argue we’re not a clear pathway now.”
There were emotional moments too. Logan paused to reflect on the loss of Andy Carr, whose influence at Staffordshire and across the NCCA scene was profound. The turnout at his funeral told its own story. “A huge loss,” Logan said, “and a testament to the impact he had on so many.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the structure stays familiar: 50-over cricket early, T20 in the middle, Championship running through the summer. Fixtures are done, counties are already booking venues, and streaming planning is underway. T20 Finals Day remains at Wormsley, with discussions ongoing about the other finals to keep things fresh.
If the past year proved anything, it’s that National Counties cricket has found its identity: competitive, youthful, ambitious, and increasingly professional—without losing the heart that makes this level so compelling. As Logan summed up, the job is simple: give counties the support they need, keep improving the product, and let the cricket speak for itself.
Based on 2024, it’s speaking pretty loudly.
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