Cricket: ECB to begin trials of new 100-ball format next month

Trial matches for the England and Wales Cricket Board’s new 100-ball format will take place next month, the Professional Cricketers’ Association has announced.

A series of different formats are set to be trialled for the eight-team city-based tournament – dubbed “The Hundred”, although the name is also yet to be finalised – which is due to take place for the first time in 2020.

The ECB will continue its research when Trent Bridge hosts men’s pilot games on Sept 16, 17 and 18, with Loughborough the venue for the women’s fixtures.

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Daryl Mitchell, the PCA chairman, said: “After the proposed 100-ball format was announced in April, consultation with PCA members has been regular, with numerous conversations and meetings between the ECB, PCA and player representatives to discuss playing regulations.

“The trials will provide an opportunity for players to get involved and to experiment various elements of the playing conditions which will be tested before providing feedback to the ECB on if the format is workable.”

The players that are selected, after co-ordination from their counties and the ECB, will receive match fees and are likely to be allowed to feature on all three days.

Mitchell said: “We are hopeful the majority of counties will have a representative, although with some counties having first XI and second XI fixtures it will not be possible to have a player from each of the 18 counties.”

The women’s matches, which will have the same playing conditions as the men’s, will take place on Sept 14, 15 and 27.