ANDREW GALE would like to see an FA Cup-style straight knockout format in the Royal London one-day Cup, including some club sides, as a way of easing the hectic schedule for county teams.

The Yorkshire skipper says his side’s run of seven group matches in eleven days, with the fifth of those against Durham at Emirates Durham tomorrow, is far from ideal.

And he is keen for the competition to revert back to the golden days of the NatWest Trophy when a Lord’s final was the highlight of the season and Minor Counties teams were involved.

One difference Gale would have is the inclusion of a handful of the best club sides in the country.

"It's been tough," said Gale, of the schedule. “The travelling as well has been tough.

“It's just getting opportunities to rest and recover. We didn't get to Worcester until just before 10pm (on Wednesday). By the time you've settled in, you're not getting to sleep until midnight.

"You here about these football managers complain about their schedule and all that sort of stuff, but they're not playing seven games in eleven days.

“I remember some of the travelling I did when I was in between the second and the first team, and it was ridiculous. No wonder the insurance was through the roof on cars.

“We're quite lucky these days that we've got the coach and it's so good.

"To say that at the start of the season, we had ten days off in between games and then suddenly the schedule hits you. Surely there's a better way of doing it.

"You can't put your best team out consistently and you can't be at your best every single day. Some fatigue mentally or physically has got to be there.

“It's not ideal, but we can't use it as an excuse. It's the same for everyone. We've just got to deal with it. It goes back to a lot of the work we've done in the winter, the lads are pretty fit now.

"The schedule is a hot topic every year, but it doesn't seem to get any better.

“I wouldn't mind a knockout competition - lose in the first round and you're out like the old NatWest. But, again, the ECB want the eight group games because there's a World Cup in 2019.

“It could be like the FA Cup, just draw them out of a hat.

“It would be nice to have some club teams in it. That would also create more interest in the competition.

"Imagine if you rock up at Cleckheaton on a little green seamer. You would be thinking 'I'm not sure about this'. It would bring the crowds in and clear the schedule for a lot of teams.”

Ironically, Gale’s personal schedule has eased due to a right wrist injury, which has ruled him out of action for a week.

He will miss the next three one-day matches in four days, but he will be fit to play in Friday’s Championship match against Durham at Scarborough.

Yorkshire go in search of their third win from five Group A matches against the defending champions tomorrow.

"It will give us a big boost because they seem to be playing some good cricket at the moment. They knocked 330 off the other day. A win could only build confidence,” added Gale.