LONDON: English cricket took a step closer to the launch of a Twenty20 tournament on Monday after the England and Wales Cricket Board set in motion the process for a rule change that will pave the way for a city-based event.
ECB officials, having seen the success of the Indian Premier League and especially Australia’s city-based Big Bash Twenty20 tournaments, believe they need something similar to help them reach family audiences and encourage children to become cricket fans.
However, the proposal has proved hugely controversial as, if enacted, it will mean that for the first time there is a major domestic cricket tournament in England that does not feature all 18 first-class counties.
At present, ECB’s rules state all those clubs must be involved in its competitions — the first-class County Championship, the 50-over One-Day Cup and the Twenty20 Blast.
Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017
