Legendary cricketer Clarence Parfitt has called upon the Eastern Counties to do away with the existing 70-48 overs format.The former Flatts star bowler said the current format is unorthodox and unfair and, as such, has strongly urged the competition’s guardians to consider reverting to the 50 over format to put an end to matches ending in a draw.As it stands, only the Western and Central Counties play 50 overs cricket.“If the other two counties are playing 50 overs then why don’t the Eastern Counties do the same and make it a game of cricket?” Parfitt told The Royal Gazette. “They should copy the other counties because cricket is all about results right now - winning and not drawing.”The current Eastern Counties format sees the team batting first allocated 70 overs while the team batting second receives 48 overs in which to reply.“I have never heard of it (existing format) before and I don’t know who came up with that idea,” Parfitt said. “Are they (Eastern Counties) just scared to go to straight overs? They could even play 60 overs each and best man wins.“The way the competition is being played now is just like playing time cricket which is something we got away from. It’s just not equal and is like playing an open game of cricket.“I remember years ago when St David’s used to bat all day and give a team two hours to score 300 runs. That’s just not fair and I thought we were getting away from that.”Two of the three matches in this summer’s Eastern Counties series, won by Bailey’s Bay, ended in tame draws.Parfitt fears that the existing format will eventually discourage players from playing and fans from attending over the long haul.“The players and fans could get turned off,” he said. “The fans don’t have to be there and this (existing format) is not good for the game or good for Bermuda cricket either.“Making it into a 50 overs competition would make the cup go around which would also be good for the competition. Time cricket is out of the book and that’s basically what 70-48 overs is. The 70-48 overs format is unfair to one of the teams.”In a recent interview with this newspaper, Eastern Counties president Steven Douglas defended the existing format.“If teams prepare early enough and strategise their game plan they can manage the 70-48 rule,” he said. “They have to strategise and have two plans; one if they bat first and one if they bowl first. The toss is the key to it.”When contacted yesterday, Douglas declined to respond to further questions on the Eastern Counties format which arose to the forefront after last weekend’s final round contest between cup holders Bay and challengers Cleveland County fizzled out into a tame draw at Sea Breeze Oval.Rather than go after a victory target of 250 runs in 58 overs, Bay’s batsmen sat on their bats until the overs expired, depriving fans of a winning result that appeared to be well within reach.