100 Ball Cricket: England introduces new format of game
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LONDON - The England and Wales Cricket Board plan on introducing a new format of the game where each team faces 100 balls as part of a revamped domestic competition in 2020, cricket.com has reported.
The proposed format for a new eight-team tournament would see each team face 15 six-ball overs as well as another 10 deliveries to make up a total of 100 balls. It is not clear at what point in an innings the extra 10 deliveries will be bowled, or whether they will be bowled by one bowler or more.
Each team faces 120 deliveries in Twenty20 cricket, which is currently the shortest form of the game played at domestic level by major cricketing nations.
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"This is a fresh and exciting idea which will appeal to a younger audience and attract new fans to the game," said ECB chairman Tom Harrison.
"Throughout its development, we have shown leadership, provided challenge and followed a process. We will continue to do that as the concept evolves.
"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 added “the other ten balls will add a fresh tactical dimension" to the game.
In a statement, the ECB said broadcasters and players have been consulted about the new format.
It represents a big shift for the game, which has used six-ball overs as standard since 1979-80. Before that, overs of four, five, six and eight balls were used at various stages throughout the years.
The ECB introduced Twenty20 cricket in 2003 and now wants to bring in a new format, which will feature 40 less deliveries per match than T20s.
