I've been meaning to contribute on this thread as I think it's a really interesting debate. As a Surrey fan I can kind of draw parallels to Pakistan over where we are at at the moment, although Pakistan are obviously stronger with more potential lol.
My problem with Surrey is that for years we relied on our established, experienced stars like Thorpe, Butcher, Ramprakash(still around somehow), Hollioake and Stewart, and we didn't have anybody to replace them. Therefore we plummeted, the young guys either not good enough or average players from other counties coming in instead, our policy of letting youngsters go to only buy them back is a good example of our woeful management, Hamilton-Brown just being an example.
The best signing we've made in years is Steven Davies, and hopefully we can build on that. We still lack centurions in our batting line-up, basically if Ramprakash doesn't score a ton we barely get a result. Our bowlers can't bowl anyone out, we don't have a great spinner and Nel, Tremlett and Dernbach can't take 10 wickets between them. Don't see evidence of a hotbed of young talent coming through, which for the richest county is bad, and our overseas players have been nothing short of useless. Inconsistancy is our strong point, and we're a long way from being 1st Division material.
My comparison with Pakistan is they have great potential in Aamir, but they don't have the new Inzimam, Yousuf or Younis to strengthen their batting, though they are showing potential.
KP's poor form is amusing, as he could end up at Surrey, which would show what is wrong with our county's policy, because he is a fantastic player, but won't play regularly for us, so what's the point?
I see a lack of great english born players coming through, as shown by the number of South Africans hanging round the England setup. It's something that needs to be addressed as although England have been doing well, it's going to hurt us down the line. Why not implement constructive changes to the domestic game now whilst the national side is strong rather than waiting like Surrey till we're shit to try and do something, which is not really working anyway.
The ego's at the top of each section are preventing us having a great domestic game. Far too much 20/20, 4 day games with our conditions in this country don't allow many results, and 40 overs is not played at international level. For me the County Championship should trial 5 day games in the top division, with there being 3 divisions of 6 teams, playing each other 3 times a season, with games finishing on a saturday, with a 50 over league competition with the same format as the County setup, except the top team from each division plus the best loser goes to semi-finals, with the top 2 points scoring teams getting a home draw, with a final at Lord's, and that would be played most sundays. I would then revert the 20/20 competition back into its original format, as it was way too long this year, and that would be played midweek.
I'd also say at least 2, maybe 3 players under the age of 21 must be in each county's team, from the county's own academy. Don't know what you think of that but something along those lines could work. Sky should also show at least the final day of 1 County Championship match every week, or have a red button option during test matches to watch one.
I think the County Championship setup needs a revamp and am just hoping Surrey improve next year, and don't sign guys like Sidebottom who are going to be past it in 3 years. I know I'll be probably lynched on here for being a Surrey fan though!