City-based Twenty20 competition approved for 2020 by ECB vote
Thursday 27 April 2017 07:46, UK
ECB members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new Twenty20 competition to join the domestic cricket schedule.
A proposal to change the body's Articles of Association was approved by 38 votes to three, paving the way for a new eight-team city-based tournament to be created, with the aim of a summer 2020 start date.
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Two first-class counties - Essex and Middlesex - voted against the change, while Kent abstained, with all three having made public those intentions before the vote.
The remaining 15 counties, plus the 21 county boards in non first-class counties, the MCC and Minor Counties Cricket Association all voted in favour.
ECB chairman Colin Graves said: "We are delighted that such an overwhelming majority of our members have voted to support the change to the ECB's Articles.
"In doing so, they have paved the way for an exciting new era for cricket in England and Wales.
"Over the past year our Members have seen the clear evidence outlining why an additional new T20 competition is the right way for cricket to reach new audiences, create new fans and drive the future of the game. I would like to sincerely thank them for the way they and their members have embraced the process and the debate.
"I passionately believe that the game has chosen the right path. Each of our Members will benefit and, critically, so will the whole game.
"We can now move on with building an exciting new competition for a new audience to complement our existing competitions - NatWest T20 Blast, the Royal London One-Day Cup, the Specsavers County Championship and Kia Super League - plus the international formats, each with its own clear role to play.
"Our clear ambition is that this new competition will sit alongside the IPL and Big Bash League as one of the world's major cricket tournaments. It will certainly increase participation in our game, in conjunction with the new All Stars Cricket program for five to eight-year-olds, and provide additional income streams for all our stakeholders.
"The ECB Executive and T20 development team will now continue to work with the game as we build the new competition, ensure it is positioned distinctively from our existing competitions and realise its full potential.
"All decisions - including the creation and base of each team - will be made within the game, guided by our shared strategy and built on best practice, research and insight.
"The benefits it will bring can deliver a sustainable future for all 18 First Class Counties and an exciting future for the game in England and Wales."
