English counties vote in favour of eight-team T20 tournament

Unlike other similar tournaments elsewhere in the world such as the Indian Premier League, it is envisaged the new event will see proceeds ploughed back into the 18 first-class counties and not into the hands of privately operated franchises.

Published : Sep 15, 2016 00:51 IST , London

Edgbaston on the finals day of this year's T20 Blast.
Edgbaston on the finals day of this year's T20 Blast.
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Edgbaston on the finals day of this year's T20 Blast.

English cricket has taken a step closer to introducing an eight-team Twenty20 tournament, in the style of the Big Bash and Indian Premier League, following a vote at Lord's.

In a statement on Wednesday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the proposed event - to run in addition to the existing T20 Blast that features all 18 first-class counties - had been agreed upon in a meeting of county chairmen and chief executives, MCC and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA).

Further consultation on the proposal will now take place, before the matter is formally considered by the ECB board next month.

ECB chairman Colin Graves said: "We've all been looking at how we can use domestic T20 for an even bigger purpose, especially getting more young people to play.

"This format was invented here and is successful worldwide. It can excite new fans, attract the best players and fuel the future of the game, on and off the pitch.

"The need to grow interest and participation in the game we love is at the core of our thinking and this is a rigorous process. We've talked to each county individually about the need for change, a range of potential options and the implications.

"There's a constructive dialogue with county chairmen and chief executives, the MCC and PCA and now agreement to move forward and further develop this approach.

"The next steps for us all, as a game, will be to extend the discussions and get valuable input from players, members and other key voices across the game."

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