SOMERSET are playing host to Kent at the county ground in Taunton tomorrow (Friday), with their hopes remaining high of at least remaining in third spot as they go in search of their first ever County Championship title.

That bit of excitement as things stand, however, will be marred as the impetuous for this competition at Taunton will be lost as county members will now have to wait to see Somerset play at home again on June 30 and then wait even longer for the next four-day game at Taunton on August 29, when Durham are the visitors.

For County Championship members and supporters, this is a disgrace as it has become plainly obvious that the County Championship, which began 134 years ago, has become a second rate competition as money and not those who support their counties in the red ball game, has become the most important factor.

It could get worse in 2025 as the Pakistan Super League is set to run from the end of March until the end of May and, with finances now the most important factor, this will see the Indian Premier League clash with the Pakistan Super League as they are played at the same time, so what will that mean to counties like Somerset playing red ball four day cricket.

There is every chance that when the County Championship fixtures are released for 2025, the County Championship will see an exodus of our talent missing the start of the season.

It will probably mean that Somerset will have to look around to attract overseas players at the start of the English domestic season; long gone are the days when ab overseas player would spend a whole season with Somerset.

You would also have to ask the question: would some of these young players consider quitting playing on the county circuit as the focus is now on the white ball game? That is a fact and, with half of the County Championship games completed before the end of May, member will already be wondering whether they will re-new their memberships for next season already.

With the largely unpopular Hundred competition being played throughout August, the County Championship looks even more likely to become a second class competition, just like the Royal London One Day Cup.

Just remember our very own Will Smeed retired from the first class game at the age of 21 in 2022, before even playing in the red ball format of County Championship cricket.

It really does make you wonder if red ball cricket, along with the members and supporters of the game, now believe that it is only a matter of time before four-day cricket is a thing of the past. And where does that leave test match cricket?