English one-day cricket competitions

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English domestic one-day cricket has a rich history. In 1963, the competition, which soon became known as the Gillette Cup, started and was a great success, leading to the popularisation of limited-over cricket throughout the world. To this day, the Cricket World Cup is contested under this format. The aim of this site is to summarise, in an accessible way, all such competitions (known as List A cricket) which have taken place in this country. At present, this format is in something akin to the doldrums, with only one competition (the Metro Bank Trophy) and that taking place in August, with most of the best players engaged in franchise cricket elsewhere. Nonetheless, there is a solid link between this competition and the very first exploration of this format, and this should be emphasised and celebrated – I hope this page will make a small contribution.

Worcestershire being my county, all mentions of their name are highlighted. Finals where I was lucky enough to be present are marked with an asterisk.

The Victor Ludorum – the main competition

The main English one-day competition has taken many structures, many formats and many sponsors. There is however, a thread joining them all together, a continuous chain of competitions involving all first-class counties, with the trophy being decided in a showpiece final at a major ground. I have whimsically called this sequence of competitions the Victor Ludorum (winner of the games) to indicate its stature, in whatever incarnation, as the foremost trophy of English one-day cricket.

YearName of TrophyNumber of participating teamsStructureNumber of oversLocation of finalWinners Runners upLink to scorecardNotes
1963The Knock-out Cup17Knock-out65Lord’sSussexWorcestershireVL#1
1964Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sSussexWarwickshireVL#2The previous season’s top five Minor Counties teams added to those taking part.
1965Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sYorkshireSurreyVL#3
1966Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sWarwickshireWorcestershireVL#4*
1967Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sKentSomersetVL#5
1968Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sWarwickshireSussexVL#6*
1969Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sYorkshireDerbyshireVL#7
1970Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sLancashireSussexVL#8
1971Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sLancashireKentVL#9*
1972Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sLancashireWarwickshireVL#10*
1973Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sGloucestershireSussexVL#11
1974Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sKentLancashireVL#12
1975Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sLancashireMiddlesexVL#13
1976Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sNorthamptonshireLancashireVL#14
1977Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sMiddlesexGlamorganVL#15
1978Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sSussexSomersetVL#16
1979Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sSomersetNorthamptonshireVL#17*
1980Gilette Cup22Knock-out60Lord’sMiddlesexSurreyVL#18Ireland included.
1981NatWest Trophy23Knock-out60Lord’sDerbyshireNorthamptonshireVL#19
1982NatWest Trophy23Knock-out60Lord’sSurreyWarwickshireVL#20
1983NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sSomersetKentVL#21Scotland, more Minor Counties and Cricket Board XIs added.
1984NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sMiddlesexKentVL#22
1985NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sEssexNottinghamshireVL#23*
1986NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sSussexLancashireVL#24*
1987NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sNottinghamshireNorthamptonshireVL#25
1988NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sMiddlesexWorcestershireVL#26
1989NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sWarwickshireMiddlesexVL#27*
1990NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sLancashireNorthamptonshireVL#28*
1991NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sHampshireSurreyVL#29*
1992NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sNorthamptonshireLeicestershireVL#30*
1993NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sWarwickshireSussexVL#31*
1994NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sWorcestershireWarwickshireVL#32*
1995NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sWarwickshireNorthamptonshireVL#33
1996NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sLancashireEssexVL#34*
1997NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sEssexWarwickshireVL#35*
1998NatWest Trophy32Knock-out60Lord’sLancashireDerbyshireVL#36
1999NatWest Trophy60Knock-out50Lord’sGloucestershireSomersetVL#37
2000NatWest Trophy60Knock-out50Lord’sGloucestershireWarwickshireVL#38
2001C&G Trophy56Knock-out50Lord’sSomersetLeicestershireVL#39*First two rounds of the 2002 tournament played at the end of 2001.
2002C&G Trophy60Knock-out50Lord’sYorkshireSomersetVL#40*
2003C&G Trophy60Knock-out50Lord’sGloucestershireWorcestershireVL#41*
2004C&G Trophy60Knock-out50Lord’sGloucestershireWorcestershireVL#42*
2005C&G Trophy32Knock-out50Lord’sHampshireWarwickshireVL#43Coloured clothing introduced, although only for first-class sides.
2006C&G Trophy20Two group of ten then final50Lord’sSussexLancashireVL#44
2007C&G Trophy20Two group of ten then final50Lord’sDurhamHampshireVL#45
2008C&G Trophy20Two group of ten then final50Lord’sEssexKentVL#46
2009C&G Trophy20Two group of ten then final50Lord’sHampshireSussexVL#47
2010Clydesdale Bank 4021Three groups of seven then semi-finals40Lord’sWarwickshire SomersetVL#48
2011Clydesdale Bank 4021Three groups of seven then semi-finals40Lord’sSurreySomersetVL#49
2012Clydesdale Bank 4021Three groups of seven then semi-finals40Lord’sHampshire Warwickshire VL#50
2013Yorkshire Bank 40 21Three groups of seven then semi-finals40Lord’sNottinghamshireGlamorgan VL#51
2014Royal London One-Day Cup18Two groups of nine then quarter-finals50Lord’sDurhamWarwickshireVL#52
2015Royal London One-Day Cup18Two groups of nine then quarter-finals50Lord’sGloucestershireSurreyVL#53
2016Royal London One-Day Cup18Two groups of nine then play-offs, then semi-finals50Lord’sWarwickshireSurreyVL#54
2017Royal London One-Day Cup18Two groups of nine then play-offs, then semi-finals50Lord’sNottinghamshireSurreyVL#55
2018Royal London One-Day Cup18Two groups of nine then play-offs, then semi-finals50Lord’sHampshireKentVL#56
2019Royal London One-Day Cup18Two groups of nine then play-offs, then semi-finals50Lord’sSomersetHampshireVL#57
2020Cancelled
2021Royal London One-Day Cup18Two groups of nine then play-offs, then semi-finals50Trent BridgeGlamorganDurhamVL#58Scheduled to take place at the same time as the Hundred franchise competition, so many top players unable to take part.
2022Metro Bank One Day Cup18Two groups of nine then play-offs, then semi-finals50Trent BridgeKentLancashireVL#59
2023Metro Bank One Day Cup18Two groups of nine then play-offs, then semi-finals50Trent BridgeLeicestershireHampshireVL#60
2024Metro Bank One Day Cup18Two groups of nine then play-offs, then semi-finals50Trent BridgeGlamorganSomersetVL#61
2025Metro Bank One Day Cup18Two groups of nine then play-offs, then semi-finals50Trent BridgeWorcestershireHampshireVL#62*

Footnote – In 1962 there was a 65-over competition called the “Midlands Knockout Competition” featuring Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Northamptonshire, won by Northamptonshire. This was effectively a trial run for the full competition.

One day cricket league

Such was the success of the limited-overs game that there was a clear demand for more. With the straight knock-out format prevailing, teams were only guaranteed one match, quite possible away from home. Meanwhile, an exhibition team called the International Cavaliers who played on Sunday afternoons, were proving very popular. The attraction of a Sunday league was obvious, John Player were recruited as sponsors and it became a great success, with one match televised live every week. Over time, it moved away from Sundays to some extent, and eventually the competition disappeared at the end of 2009, Twenty20 having overtaken its appeal.

YearName of TrophyNumber of teamsNumber of divisionsNumber of oversWinnersRelegatedDivision 2 winners(Also) PromotedNotes
1969John Player’s County League17140LancashireNot applicable
1970John Player League17140LancashireNot applicable
1971John Player League17140WorcestershireNot applicable
1972John Player League17140KentNot applicable
1973John Player League17140KentNot applicable
1974John Player League17140LeicestershireNot applicable
1975John Player League17140HampshireNot applicable
1976John Player League17140KentNot applicable
1977John Player League17140LeicestershireNot applicable
1978John Player League17140HampshireNot applicable
1979John Player League17140SomersetNot applicable
1980John Player League17140WarwickshireNot applicable
1981John Player League17140EssexNot applicable
1982John Player League17140SussexNot applicable
1983John Player League17140YorkshireNot applicable
1984John Player Special League17140EssexNot applicable
1985John Player Special League17140EssexNot applicable
1986John Player Special League17140HampshireNot applicable
1987Refuge Assurance League17140WorcestershireNot applicable
1988Refuge Assurance League17140WorcestershireNot applicable
1989Refuge Assurance League17140LancashireNot applicable
1990Refuge Assurance League17140DerbyshireNot applicable
1991Refuge Assurance League17140NottinghamshireNot applicableFirst match not on a Sunday
1992Sunday League18140MiddlesexNot applicable
1993AXA Equity & Law League18150GlamorganNot applicableColoured clothing, white ball introduced.
1994AXA Equity & Law League18140WarwickshireNot applicable
1995AXA Equity & Law League18140KentNot applicable
1996AXA Equity & Law League18140SurreyNot applicable
1997AXA Life League18140WarwickshireNot applicable
1998AXA League18140LancashireNot applicable
1999CGU National League18245LancashireWarwickshire, Hampshire, EssexSussexSomerset, Northamptonshire
2000Norwich Union National League18245GloucestershireWorcestershire, Lancashire, SussexSurreyNottinghamshire, Warwickshire
2001Norwich Union League18245KentGloucestershire, Surrey, NorthamptonshireGlamorganDurham, Worcestershire
2002Norwich Union League18245GlamorganSomerset, Durham, NottinghamshireGloucestershireSurrey, Essex
2003National League19245SurreyLeicestershire, Yorkshire, WorcestershireLancashireNorthamptonshire, HampshireScotland participated for this and the next two years.
2004totesport League19245GlamorganWarwickshire, Kent, SurreyMiddlesexWorcestershire, Nottinghamshire
2005totesport League19245EssexGloucestershire, Worcestershire, HampshireSussexDurham, Warwickshire
2006NatWest Pro4018240EssexGlamorgan, Durham, MiddlesexGloucestershireWorcestershire, Hampshire
2007NatWest Pro4018240WorcestershireWarwickshire, Essex, NorthamptonshireDurhamSomerset, Middlesex
2008NatWest Pro4018240SussexMiddlesex, LancashireEssexYorkshire
2009NatWest Pro4018240SussexNot applicableWarwickshireNot applicable

Footnote – during 1987-1991, the last four years of the period of Refuge Assurance’s sponsorship, a spin-off competition was run. This was known as the Refuge Assurance Cup and consisted of a knock-out competition between the top four finishers in the league. The finals were held at a test match ground, and the outcomes were:

  • 1988 – Lancashire beat Worcestershire at Edgbaston RA#1 *
  • 1989 – Essex beat Nottingham at Edgbaston RA#2
  • 1990 – Middlesex beat Derbyshire at Edgbaston RA#3
  • 1991 – Worcestershire beat Lancashire at Old Trafford RA#4 *

The Benson and Hedges Cup – the secondary knock-out competition

With the Gillette Cup and the Sunday league going well, there was considered to be potential for another trophy, this time combining elements of both league and knock-out structure, all leading to another Lord’s final, this one being held in mid-season. Again, it was to prove a success, the prestige of winning only marginally less than that applying to the Gillette Cup. Benson and Hedges stayed with it for 31 years, making it the longest continuous spell of sponsorship in English cricket history.

In its latter years it increasingly came under fire, critics arguing it was one competition too many and increasing legislation against tobacco advertising gave the authorities the chance to quietly kill it off. In its place came a new format, Twenty20, and the rest is history.

YearNumber of teamsStructureNumber of oversWinnerRunners upLink to scorecardNotes
197220Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55LeicestershireYorkshireBH#1
197320Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55KentWorcestershireBH#2*
197420Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55SurreyLeicestershireBH#3
197520Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55LeicestershireMiddlesexBH#4
197620Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55KentWorcestershireBH#5*
197720Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55GloucestershireKentBH#6
197820Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55KentDerbyshireBH#7
197920Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55EssexSurreyBH#8
198020Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55NorthamptonshireEssexBH#9
198120Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55SomersetSurreyBH#10
198220Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55SomersetNottinghamshireBH#11
198320Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55MiddlesexEssexBH#12
198420Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55LancashireWarwickshireBH#13
198520Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55LeicestershireEssexBH#14
198620Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55MiddlesexKentBH#15
198720Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55YorkshireNorthamptonshireBH#16
198820Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55HampshireDerbyshireBH#17
198920Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55NottinghamshireEssexBH#18
199020Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55LancashireWorcestershireBH#19*
199120Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55WorcestershireLancashireBH#20*
199221Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55HampshireKentBH#21*
199321Knock-out55DerbyshireLancashireBH#22*
199422Knock-out55WarwickshireWorcestershireBH#23
199522Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out55LancashireKentBH#24*
199622Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out50LancashireNorthamptonshireBH#25
199722Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out50SurreyKentBH#26
199822Four zonal groups then eight team knock-out50EssexLeicestershireBH#27*
19998Knock-out50GloucestershireYorkshireBH#28Only top eight sides from previous County Championship participated. A one-off absurdity.
200018Three zonal groups then eight team knock-out50GloucestershireGlamorganBH#29
200118Three zonal groups then eight team knock-out50SurreyGloucestershireBH#30
200218Three zonal groups then eight team knock-out50WarwickshireEssexBH#31

A few statistics

  • To date, 97 List A finals have been held, including the four Refuge Assurance Cup finals, but excluding the 1962 Midland Counties Tournament.
  • I have attended thirty of them. Not bad.
  • Worcestershire have appeared in fourteen finals, winning four and losing ten.
  • Adding in the league competition, there have been a total of 138 titles contested.
  • Worcestershire have won eight of them – 6%, more or less their ‘fair share’. But only just.
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