ECB proposes new 100-ball format
The England and Wales Cricket Board are planning on introducing a 100-ball cricket tournament which will be played in its new eight-team, city-based tournament.
The initiative has been taken to fit the game in a three-hour time period. The format will have 20 balls less than T20s in an innings. 15 traditional 6-ball overs will be bowled along with a final 10-ball over.
“This is a fresh and exciting idea which will appeal to a younger audience and attract new fans to the game,” ECB’s chief executive Tom Harrison said. “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.”
The ECB conducted T20s 15 years ago and it has changed the whole idea of the game. Despite piloting the format, the ECB has fell behind India and Australia over the period. These two countries have the most popular T20 leagues—Big Bash League and IPL.
“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,” said Sanjay Patel, the managing director of the new competition.
“This is 100-ball cricket, a simple approach to reach a new generation. Based on fifteen traditional 6-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 new tournament, scheduled to take place in 2020, will include eight teams. A player draft will be held and it is expected that the names of the teams will carry some association with the venues instead of using existing county identities. The five-week competition will be conducted in seven venues.
The format will be reflected in the women’s game too. According to ECB’s director of women’s cricket, Clare Connor, building women’s and men’s competitions, side by side, would be a kind of its own and very few sports have had this prospect.
“To build the women’s and men’s competitions and identities together, side by side, is a prospect that few sports ever have and will give us greater reach, scale and prominence,” said Connor. “It will attract more women and girls to the game, ensure that cricket reaches and entertains more families and give our players an exciting stage upon which to display their talent.”
