Cricket's new format includes a 10-ball over

Sam Billings of Kent Spitfires is bowled. Photo / Getty

The new flagship 'T20' competition being introduced by the England Cricket Board in 2020 is set to played over just 100 balls-a-side.

This will amount to 15 traditional six-ball overs plus one 10 ball over, which will radically alter the format including the type of the tournament as it no longer amounts to 20 overs.

The proposal was put to county chairman and chief executives at a meeting on Wednesday by the ECB's T20 management led by commercial director Sanjay Patel.

The idea was formed after pressure from BBC, one of the rights holders who always have scheduling complications, to limit the matches to two-and-a-half hours .

Some recent T20 internationals have been taking upto an hour longer.

ECB's Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: "This is a fresh and exciting idea which will appeal to a younger audience and attract new fans to the game.

"Throughout its development, we have shown leadership, provided challenge and followed a process. We will continue to do that as the concept evolves.

"Our game has a history of innovation and we have a duty to look for future growth for the health and sustainability of the whole game.

"There are 18 First-Class Counties, playing red and white ball cricket, at our core and these Counties and competitions will be supported, promoted and benefit from the game's growth."

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