Working Group Casts Cloud Over English 100 Balls Format
Umer Jamshaid Published April 26, 2018 | 02:10 AM
London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Apr, 2018 ) :Plans to launch a brand new 100 balls per side English county competition were thrown into doubt on Wednesday by the England and Wales Cricket board.
It announced the creation of a "working group giving fresh thought to refining the structure of men's county cricket that has been agreed for 2020". Only last week the ECB revealed its intention to establish an eight-team city-based 100 balls per side tournament to start in 2020, despite having previously indicated it would be another Twenty20 event in addition to the existing 'Blast' featuring all 18 first-class counties.
England captain Joe Root said it could attract a new audience to Test cricket but his predecessor as skipper, Alastair Cook, believes Tests need to be protected. David Gower, another ex-England captain.
suggested Wednesday the 100-ball plan was "going to be 12 years out of date before it starts". Meanwhile England's Professional Cricketers' Association issued a statement Wednesday voicing its "major concern" around the "lack of information and clarity regarding the new tournament".
Amid all the furore, the ECB said it would set up a working group chaired by Leicestershire chief executive Wasim Khan. The group's members will also include, among others, ECB England director of cricket Andrew Strauss, three county directors of cricket, as well as PCA representatives, with a report to be submitted later in the English season.
Gordon Hollins, the ECB's chief operating officer, explaining why the group had been formed, said: "A number of subjects and proposals have been raised in various forums over the last few weeks and months, such as...the question of what other cricket should be played during the new ECB tournament later in the summer of 2020." He added: "In striving to reach a new audience, we must not neglect county cricket, nor its great tradition." Strauss, himself a former England captain, came under fire for saying in a radio interview last week that the 100-ball tournament was aimed at "mums and kids", with some female cricket followers resenting the implication that women do not understand the game's existing formats.
Wednesday's ECB statement made no mention, however, of whether plans for a women's 100-ball tournament to replace the existing Twenty20 Super League were also under review. There are fears that with Twenty20 now a central part of the women's game worldwide, abandoning the Super League will leave England with a huge chasm between domestic and elite female cricket.
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From World
-
Ukraine moves to bring military-aged men home to fight
44 minutes ago -
Asia hit hardest by climate change, extreme weather: UN weather agency
54 minutes ago -
Muscles and masterpieces: Louvre offers Olympic sport sessions
54 minutes ago -
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 16 dead
54 minutes ago -
UK Rwanda law sparks fear among migrants hoping to cross Channel
3 hours ago -
China issues highest-level rainstorm warning after deadly floods
3 hours ago
-
UK's Sunak announces raised defence spending, new Ukraine aid
3 hours ago -
Baby delivered from dying mother's womb in Gaza 'miracle'
4 hours ago -
Russia rejects US journalist Gershkovich's detention appeal
4 hours ago -
Prosecutors accuse Trump of 'willful' violations of gag order
5 hours ago -
French artist JR downsizes at Venice Biennale with Orient Express
6 hours ago -
Umrah & Ziarah Forum 2024: A gateway to enhance pilgrimage services in Holy land
6 hours ago