ECB working party discussed seven-ball overs and 20-ball free for all in plans for The Hundred

HUW TURBERVILL - EXCLUSIVE: Four seven-ball overs plus 12 lots of six and a free-for-all with no overs were among the ideas; salaries for new tournament ranging from £30,000–£125,000; PCA want squads of 16, ECB 15

^{More of the ideas discussed for The Hundred's format have been revealed}

You may have thought that you had heard every possible format for the ECB’s new competition from 2020, but The Cricketer can reveal two other ideas that have been discussed by the high-performance group chaired by Clare Connor:

- 4 x 7-ball overs in a Powerplay, followed by 12 x 6-ball overs.

- A free for all where anyone could bowl up to 20 balls in any order from any end at any time.

The ECB insist that “no decisions have been made on the playing conditions for the new competition”, and it seems unreasonable to suggest that ideas cannot even be discussed.

These two ideas seem to have been dismissed, however, with all parties appearing to settle on 20 five-ball overs in blocks of 10 from each end, with a bowler able to deliver 10 balls in a row. This will save time so matches can be condensed into a 150-minute window (6.30–9pm), for spectator experience and broadcasters (specifically the BBC).

The Powerplay is likely to be either 20 or 25 balls (both are set to be trialled).

^{Clare Connor is chairing a working party focusing on proposals for the competition}

“To develop the competition, there are a number of ongoing discussions, including within a high-performance group who are planning a series of pilot matches in September,” an ECB spokeperson told The Cricketer. “Ultimately it is the board of the ECB which makes the final decisions on the format and rules for the new competition and that is expected later this year [probably November].”

A banded salary system will see the highest earners given £125,000, with the lowest £30,000.

The players’ union, the PCA want squads of 16, the ECB would prefer 15.

As reported by the Telegraph today, there is a suggestion of trialling 12-a-side squads, with a bowler and batsman interchangeable.

Despite all the controversy, all parties are agreed on the principles of high-quality cricket, which is fast-paced, easy to understand and entertaining, but maintains a fair balance between bat and ball, and retains the game’s integrity.

The ECB also hope it is replicable in the recreational game, and that the men’s and women’s competitions are aligned. English cricket has a window before the great ‘reboot’, and ideas can be discussed.

The Cricketer has revealed its ‘blueprint for English cricket’ in its August edition, out now, however, and sticks with the ‘world-standard T20 format’ for the new tournament.