Post by DazaB_WCFC on Jul 18, 2008 22:49:07 GMT
A new Twenty20 English Premier League starting in 2010 has been announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
There will be two divisions of 10 teams which will feature the 18 existing counties plus two overseas teams.
The ECB rejected a controversial and radical proposal by David Stewart and Keith Bradshaw which would have left out half of the counties.
The Pro40 will be s****ped after 2009, allowing for a total overhaul of club cricket in England.
ECB chairman Giles Clarke said: "I am delighted that the board unanimously supported these creative proposals.
"I would like to congratulate everyone for their hard work and thank those who went to considerable time and trouble to produce documents for discussion."
The board took the decisions having studied detailed market research which demonstrated a spectator desire to watch more Twenty20 cricket.
The EPL will be staged in June while there will be a Twenty20 League, replacing the Pro40, in July, August and September and will be played primarily on Friday nights.
Although the ECB rejected Stewart and Bradshaw's franchise idea, it did take on board some of their funding proposals.
Surrey chairman Stewart said: "These are extremely exciting and satisfying proposals for the future of domestic cricket in England and Wales. I am delighted to support them.
"They incorporate some excellent ideas and Keith Bradshaw (MCC chief executive) and I were delighted to be able to submit our ideas as part of the decision making process and to build on the robust structure proposed by ECB as a result of detailed consultations undertaken."
The board also agreed the 2010 season would include a 50-over competition and 16 County Championship matches in a two-division structure.
ARE THEY REMOVING THE MICHAEL?
There will be two divisions of 10 teams which will feature the 18 existing counties plus two overseas teams.
The ECB rejected a controversial and radical proposal by David Stewart and Keith Bradshaw which would have left out half of the counties.
The Pro40 will be s****ped after 2009, allowing for a total overhaul of club cricket in England.
ECB chairman Giles Clarke said: "I am delighted that the board unanimously supported these creative proposals.
"I would like to congratulate everyone for their hard work and thank those who went to considerable time and trouble to produce documents for discussion."
The board took the decisions having studied detailed market research which demonstrated a spectator desire to watch more Twenty20 cricket.
The EPL will be staged in June while there will be a Twenty20 League, replacing the Pro40, in July, August and September and will be played primarily on Friday nights.
Although the ECB rejected Stewart and Bradshaw's franchise idea, it did take on board some of their funding proposals.
Surrey chairman Stewart said: "These are extremely exciting and satisfying proposals for the future of domestic cricket in England and Wales. I am delighted to support them.
"They incorporate some excellent ideas and Keith Bradshaw (MCC chief executive) and I were delighted to be able to submit our ideas as part of the decision making process and to build on the robust structure proposed by ECB as a result of detailed consultations undertaken."
The board also agreed the 2010 season would include a 50-over competition and 16 County Championship matches in a two-division structure.
ARE THEY REMOVING THE MICHAEL?