PCA chairman Vikram Solanki calls for cricket review

Solanki played in 51 one-day internationals for England

Professional Cricketers' Association chairman and Worcestershire batsman Vikram Solanki believes the structure of English cricket needs a full review.

The former Worcestershire skipper said the England and Wales Cricket Board should look at all levels of game.

Solanki told BBC Sport: "We need to carry out a thorough review of the state of our cricket in its entirety.

"We can be accused of previously making changes on a piecemeal basis, which isn't best for English cricket."

We need to take into account players' opinions. We are the ones who walk out and try to entertain the crowds

Vikram Solanki

He added: "If we keep in mind what is best for English cricket it is important to establish what purpose it serves.

"One is to produce cricketers for England and the best possible England team, and the other is to entertain domestic cricket watchers.

"If we keep those two facts at the forefront of any decision we make then a thorough review will answer some question of just what is required going forward."

The former England one-day international player also admitted that he does not agree that the members of county clubs have been short changed by the fixture list.

"It's a bit of a fallacy. A successful England team is what the domestic structure is to be judged by. If England are successful then there will be a trickledown effect on the county game.

"And we must take into account all formats of domestic cricket.

"I would like to think a review will take place, and it seems the powers that be will be meeting after the season has finished.

"Whether these changes would come in for the 2011 season remains to be seen, and in no way would I suggest we rush any decisions.

"If we do things properly there is a lot to be optimistic about English cricket, and the form of the current England team is one of those reasons to be optimistic."

606: DEBATE

The whole system needs to be reviewed and better planning instigated so that counties can play their International players on a more regular basis

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But Solanki was clear that he wants his members to be consulted on any potential changes.

"We need to take into account players' opinions," he continued. "We are the ones who walk out and try to entertain the crowds.

"There is a suggestion the schedules have been taxing this year, playing T20 and then into a championship game, and then back to T20. And the travel certainly takes it out of you."