I think maybe we are talking at cross purposes. My point was that if the desire is to expand one of our limited over competitions, why is the assumption that these should be the NCs if actually little distinguishes them between in terms of quality and some of the best clubs? If the desire is to be genuinely innovative, then they need to move beyond the historic representative structure of English cricket.
Secondly, in terms of widening interest in the game, I'm not sure that's best achieved by giving Herefordshire (pop170k and my county of birth) more matches with the professional counties rather than elevating a top club in somewhere like Sheffield, Merseyside or the London parts of Kent and Essex (or maybe creating new teams that merges a number of clubs in those areas).
I mean overall, I'm not in favour full stop of those widened options listed above, but I just disagree with the idea that expanding the game automatically means going to the NCs first.
Neither am I convinced that the expansion is desirable. But the assumption is the one apparently on the table as reported in the press, and I would suggest that is because it is the highest standard of cricket outside the first class counties in this country. Two county staffers being released to the likes of Beckenham, Sheffield or Merseyside along with an overseas fast bowler may put in an occasional match winning performance, but I don't see how that elevates week in week out, the standard of cricket above a national county where the whole 11 have been selected on merit, nothwithstanding availability problems.
It's often said the difference in division one compared to division two is the first change bowlers, or the batting right down to no.11 that applies to national counties as well. Change bowlers are first choice at their clubs, batsmen at 8, 9, 10 can open for for their clubs.
The overall standard is high.
I am not sure where the idea of "little distinguishes them between in terms of quality and some of the best clubs" comes from. Just the suggestion of the overseas pro or that a couple of county staffers playing for the same club? Berkshire beat Cumbria at Wormsley complete with Jack Davies and Toby Greatwood from Middlesex. Both were outplayed by other members of a well prepared and coached Berkshire team.
One of the problems levelled at franchise cricket in this country is the creation of new teams from county players, not sure creating new super clubs would address those problems. Or how the selection process etc. would take place, at League level? My recollection is that in the first year of 'devalued' one day cup it was suggested that it would give club cricketers a chance to play at a higher level. Did one or two get a call up? Can't remember.