LONDON – The England and Wales Cricket Board plan on introducing a newformat of the game where each team faces 100 balls as part of a revampeddomestic competition in 2020, cricket.com has reported.
The proposed format for a new eight-team tournament would see each teamface 15 six-ball overs as well as another 10 deliveries to make up a totalof 100 balls. It is not clear at what point in an innings the extra 10deliveries will be bowled, or whether they will be bowled by one bowler ormore.
Each team faces 120 deliveries in Twenty20 cricket, which is currently theshortest form of the game played at domestic level by major cricketingnations.
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“This is a fresh and exciting idea which will appeal to a younger audienceand attract new fans to the game,” said ECB chairman Tom Harrison.
“Throughout its development, we have shown leadership, provided challengeand 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 futuregrowth for the health and sustainability of the whole game.
“There are 18 First Class Counties, playing red and white ball cricket, atour core and these Counties and competitions will be supported, promotedand benefit from the game’s growth.”
ECB Chief Commercial Officer Sanjay Patel added “the other ten balls willadd a fresh tactical dimension” to the game.
In a statement, the ECB said broadcasters and players have been consultedabout the new format.
It represents a big shift for the game, which has used six-ball overs asstandard since 1979-80. Before that, overs of four, five, six and eightballs were used at various stages throughout the years.
The ECB introduced Twenty20 cricket in 2003 and now wants to bring in a newformat, which will feature 40 less deliveries per match than T20s.