The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly considering a comprehensive overhaul of its domestic short-format cricket calendar. With the existing tournaments, namely the T20 Blast and the Hundred, failing to match the popularity of competitions like the US-based Major League Cricket (MLC), the ECB aims to create a new T20 tournament from scratch. The success of other tournaments, such as the SA20 and ILT20, has further fueled the desire for change within the English cricketing landscape. While discussions are ongoing, the exact details and timeline for implementation remain uncertain.
The presence of two short-format tournaments in the domestic cricket calendar has raised concerns among the ECB and county chiefs. The T20 Blast and the Hundred have not achieved success and audience engagement. In response to these challenges, the ECB is exploring replacing both tournaments with a revamped T20 competition.
An initial proposition gaining support suggests forming a new T20 tournament with all 18 counties participating but with a private ownership model. Currently, the ECB owns the teams in the circuit, but the proposed approach would involve shared ownership between the official body, the counties, and private investors. This model aims to inject fresh ideas, resources, and commercial viability into the new tournament, potentially attracting greater interest and investment.
While the idea is still in its early stages, any significant changes to the domestic cricket calendar will require careful consideration. Existing broadcast deals associated with the T20 Blast and the Hundred pose a challenge, as altering the schedule may affect contractual agreements.
The ECB has refrained from commenting on these speculations and has not released any official statements regarding the proposed changes. Further discussions and deliberations will likely be held among the ECB, county officials, and stakeholders before making concrete decisions. The governing body will carefully assess the potential benefits and challenges of a radical switch in the domestic short-format cricket calendar.
