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Gillette CupFalling attendances at County Championship games during the 1950s prompted the game's authorities in the U.K. to consider introducing a one-day knockout competition. After a pilot scheme in 1962, the 17 first-class counties competed in the 65 overs "Knock-out Competition" during 1963, and Sussex duly became the first winners of what became known as the Gillette Cup.The full house at the first Lord's final in 1963 confirmed that the new competition had succeeded in capturing public imagination, and the competition, which from 1966 was staged over 60 overs, soon become the highlight of the domestic one-day calendar, with a showpiece final at Lord's, usually in early September. The competition was known as the Gillette Cup until 1980 when it became known as the NatWest Trophy. A further name change occurred in 2001 as it became known as the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy. Other changes have taken place with several Minor County sides taking part in the first round from 1964. However, it was not until 1973 that any beat their Championship counterparts, with Durham recording a 5 wicket win over Yorkshire. Further changes occurred in 1983 as the competition was expanded to 32 participants, including 13 Minor Counties, plus Ireland and Scotland in the first round. In 1993 they were joined by Wales Minor Counties, with Holland and Denmark also taking part from 1995. Further changes occurred in 1999 with the format changing to 50 overs contests, with County Board teams also participating in the first two rounds, before most of the first-class counties entered in the third round. 2005 was the final year of Minor County involvement, as the competition was restructured for 2006 with two conferences comprising counties in the North, plus Scotland, and counties in the South plus Ireland. Rather than a knock-out competition, each county side plays against the others in its group, before the winners of the Northern group play the winners of the Southern group in the final. |
