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Liverpool Echo Invitation Knockout 2012
Friday 2nd March 2012

It has been revealed this evening that the organiser of the Liverpool Echo Invitation Knockout has received a request, and as a result is considering altering the rules so that the initial round is regionalised and secondly, that the playing conditions are the same as those of the ECB T20 Knockout (Cockspur Cup) so that "umpires do not get confused as to which rules the matches are being played".

The Liverpool Echo Knockout is an independently run competition and clubs enter by invitation. Interference from an external source has been resisted over the years but despite that, this source influenced rule changes which were made last year.

The Knockout is unique in the way it is played and has satisified those that have participated for nearly forty years. It has to remain that way otherwise there will be two competitions played under identical rules.

Regionalising the draw is a way of 'fixing' it so that top teams may not play each other. It must remain an open draw. Too many people are becoming involved and their sole intention is to look after number one.

Interference from an outside source has to be resisted. The Knockout is nothing to do with the Liverpool Competition or any other league and has to remain that way.

In case you think you have missed it, the draw for this year's competition has yet to be made. winners