Caddick wants Championship rest

Caddick in a rare appearance for Somerset

England fast bowler Andy Caddick believes contracted players should not play any part in domestic cricket's County Championship.

Caddick, who also plays for Somerset, reckons top players should only be allowed to participate in one-day games to stay in form.

England and Wales Cricket Board contracts have already cut back domestic commitments but Caddick wants it to go further.

England is my cricketing life now, not Somerset and England

Andy Caddick

He told the Daily Express: "International cricket, especially Test matches, takes so much out of you both physically and mentally that we need to concentrate on England.

"England is my cricketing life now, not Somerset and England.

"I think we could play one-day cricket for our counties because nine or 10 overs is a good run-out in between the Test matches. But no more."

Caddick's comments are likely to cause consternation among county aficionados who believe the domestic game is being adversely affected by the long absences of Test stars.

ECB orders

There is also a serious worry that if England's elite were withdrawn from all championship games, the standard of county cricket would deteriorate even further.

The ECB is able to order players to rest from the county scene before Test matches.

Last week, Yorkshire's Darren Gough and Lancashire's Michael Atherton were withdrawn from the Roses clash on ECB orders.

But Alec Stewart was able to play for Surrey for some much-needed batting practice.