JUSTIN Langer does not want to see city-based franchises introduced to Twenty20 cricket in England – because he believes the history of the county game is far too important.
Australia coach Langer, a veteran of 105 Tests for his country, spent four seasons with Somerset from 2006-2009 and cherished his experience of playing at Taunton.
And, after seeing the introduction of the Big Bash League in his homeland, Langer is against the idea of a similar competition based at Test grounds in England.
The introduction of an English equivalent to the Indian Premier League and Big Bash has become a hot topic of late, with several top overseas players speaking in favour of the idea.
If any such proposals were given the go-ahead, the likelihood is that counties such as Somerset and Gloucestershire could be expected to merge.
But Langer, who travelled with the Somerset squad to their abandoned CB40 match at Cardiff last week, is vehemently against the idea.
"I don't like it," he said. "I've seen it in Australia and I don't like it in Australia.
"In Australia now, they've got two teams in Melbourne, two teams in Sydney, and I don't like it and wouldn't like to see it in England, because you lose that passion.
"As (Middlesex managing director of cricket) Angus Fraser said the other day, franchises are Kentucky Fried Chicken – that's what franchises are.
"How do you unravel 110 years of history into a franchise? If you're playing for a club and all that's gone before you, I think that's important. That's why I'm not a fan of franchise cricket."
Langer, who was in England with the Australia squad for the recent one-day international series, enjoyed an emotional return to Taunton with his family last week.
And he said Taunton, his former home of Hatch Beauchamp and the Somerset club will always remain close to his heart.
"I got picked up from the station and as I went past the club I had a real heart flutter. It was a weird feeling," said Langer.
"When you sign for Somerset, you are aware of Sir Ian Botham, Sir Vivian Richards and Joel Garner – the club has got special history – but it's about the people and the lifestyle.
"The Somerset people are like family to us. When Sue and my daughters got down to Hatch Beauchamp, they were crying in the car. It feels like a second home to our family."
Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick, who has not played since rupturing ankle ligaments at Nottingham in April, is expected to make his comeback for the county's second team in a three-day game at Essex today. The match, at Coggeshall CC, starts at 11am.
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