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It used to be the highlight of the domestic season, a celebration of all that was good about English cricket and a possible last-minute passport to a winter tour call-up by England.
But now the 50-over county final is the climax of the competition that cricket forgot, the biggest victim of the ECB's insistence that the Hundred represents the future.
It is almost as if English cricket wants the Royal London Cup to fail. First it was decided to run it concurrently this year with the new tournament that must succeed at all costs.
Joe Cooke of Glamorgan has shown how talented youngsters can flourish when given a shot
Subsequently the counties lost many of their best players to the Hundred, making the longer county limited-overs competition a virtual second XI event. And the final indignity comes at Trent Bridge this week when the final is staged on a Thursday away from its traditional home of Lord's.
Just to make sure it does not embarrass the governing body by attracting a full house, the final comes just three days after the first semi-final and two days after the second, making it near impossible for fans of the finalists to properly plan to be there.
Remember, England are world champions of 50-over cricket after that magical day at Lord's in 2019. But the English game is going about producing more players to help defend the crown in India in two years' time and beyond in a funny way.
But what the decision to undermine one of its crown jewels has done for English cricket is provide more opportunities for young players to gain first-team opportunities. And, in the case of Glamorgan's attack in Monday's semi-final, pit their wits against the likes of Sir Alastair Cook and what was a near full-strength Essex side.
