Cricket: Let's get on with it - Giles likens talk over new T20 competition to Brexit

Former England spinner Ashley Giles has compared the debate over the proposals for a city-based Twenty20 competition in English cricket to the wrangling over Brexit.

The ECB on Monday announced plans for a T20 competition featuring eight new city-based franchises that would start in 2020.

It is hoped that the competition, which would not overlap with the T20 Blast contested by county sides, will become the "most dynamic tournament in world cricket".

But there are fears the implementation of such a tournament could risk the future of county cricket.

Giles, though, is keen for the arguments to end, likening the back and forth to the exchanges over Britain's exit from the European Union.

"I compare it to Brexit," Giles, who is Warwickshire's director of cricket, said at their pre-season press day.

"We've made a decision. Let's get on with it."

"We've seen these vehicles work well round the world. T20 is here to stay.

"It should protect the whole game. It's not in anyone's interest to see counties go out of business.

"The best players in fewer teams, in front of big audiences in big stadiums and watched by bigger TV audiences, can only be good for the game.

"If we're to get this through, which I think we have, let's stop talking about why it's not going to work and how we can make it work as well as anywhere in the world."

Warwickshire and England seamer Chris Woakes added: "It's a great idea and a great prospect for English cricket. We've seen it work in other countries. The IPL in India, and the Big Bash in Australia in particular, has brought in a huge number of new faces coming to cricket grounds. 

"We want to get new people playing it and this is a step in the right direction."