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If you think that the Twenty20 cricket excites you the most, then brace yourself up for a new and more exciting format. The England and Wales Cricket Board on Thursday announced that it is proposing a new eight-team domestic competition based on the simple format of 100 balls for each team. The competition is scheduled to start from 2020.
Each team will face 15 traditional six-ball overs with an additional ten balls that add a fresh tactical dimension.
The proposal has received unanimous support at Thursday's meeting at Lord's and the board of the new competition, the ECB announced in a press release.
The new 100-ball format will meet key aims for the new competition, aimed at attracting young fans.
ECB's Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: "This is a fresh and exciting idea which will appeal to a younger audience and attract new fans to the game.
"Throughout its development, we have shown leadership, provided challenge and followed a process. We will continue to do that as the concept evolves.
"We have a duty to look for future growth for the health and sustainability of the whole game."
"Our game has a history of innovation and we have a duty to look for future growth for the health and sustainability of the whole game.
"There are 18 First Class Counties, playing red and white ball cricket, at our core and these Counties and competitions will be supported, promoted and benefit from the game’s growth."
ECB Chief Commercial Officer, Sanjay Patel, MD for the new competition, said: "The development team has had strong support and encouragement in its conversations to date and it’s time to take the concept wider as we build the detail.
"This is 100-ball cricket, a simple approach to reach a new generation. This is 100-ball cricket, a simple approach to reach a new generation. Based on 15 traditional six-ball overs, the other ten balls will add a fresh tactical dimension. Crucially, this will also help differentiate this competition from Vitality Blast and other T20 competitions worldwide, maintaining our game's history of successful innovation.
"The players and our valuable broadcast partners under the new TV partnerships from 2020-24 are vital to the success of this competition and they will see the energy, excitement and simplicity of this approach."
