New T20 cricket tournament could be delayed

THE proposed eight-team Twenty20 competition in English cricket could be delayed until 2020, according to reports.

Last month the majority of county sides voted for the new competition, which will take place in addition to the 18-team T20 Blast. It was mooted to have started in 2018 if it was given the go-ahead.

But England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) bosses have told county members this week that 2020 is now their targeted start date.

This is partly because the existing broadcasting deal expires in 2019.

Warwickshire was one of 15 counties to vote in favour of the change. Edgbaston has been pioneering the city-based approach, renaming its T20 team Birmingham Bears to reflect its home city rather than its county – although it retains the Warwickshire designation for the four-day County Cahmpionship.

The ECB wants to introduce a new T20 event to emulate the success of the Indian Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash League and to attract new audiences that it said would bring greater revenues for all.

The eight-team proposal, was passed by a majority vote at Lord’s in September.

It followed discussions between representatives of the 18 first-class counties, the Professional Cricketers’ Association, and the MCC, which is the guardian of the laws and spirit of cricket.

Surrey, Kent and Sussex reportedly voted against the move.

Some counties expressed concerns that games would only be held at Test Match venues, but the ECB countered this by saying the new tournament would be regional rather than city-based – a move which would open the door to some games being played at non-Test venues.

Several counties are also said to have worries about a lack of detail behind the idea, which is still in the planning stage.