New T20 a game changer
CRICKET bosses are confident the introduction of a new city-based T20 tournament aimed at rivalling the Indian Premier League and Big Bash can breathe new life into the game in this country.
The T20 competition, which will run during school summer holidays from 2020, will feature eight teams and for the first time have no roots in the county game – breaking with over a century of tradition.
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison will this morning seek final approval from the board to change cricket’s laws and allow the creation of a new competition.
Harrison said: “We recognise the challenges we face in cricket, including competition from other sports, driving participation, changing viewing habits, different working patterns and financial sustainability. This is a huge opportunity here for our game, and if we grasp it the future is truly exciting.”
Battle
As soon as he gets the green light, negotiations will begin with potential broadcasters for a tournament of 36 games covering 38 days.
Sky and BT Sport look set to do battle for those rights, but Harrison is looking for a free-to-air broadcaster to screen eight live matches.
There will be a player auction like the IPL’s to kick off the promotional activity in early 2020, with each team spending a centrally allocated budget.
And while that is not likely to make more millionaires like Ben Stokes and Tymal Mills, organisers hope it will spark interest given no other sport in the UK has a draft pick-auction system.
The venues have yet to be announced but the teams are likely to be based around Lord’s, The Oval, The Rose Bowl, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Old Trafford, Headingley with Bristol, Taunton and Cardiff sharing the eighth team.