Players could bowl consecutive five-ball overs in 'The Hundred'

The new Hundred competition will be made up of five-ball overs but captains could be given the option of keeping bowlers on for two overs in succession.

It will mean bowlers would still send down ten consecutive deliveries but the ten-ball over that was mooted when the competition was announced earlier this summer has been dropped after talks with county players.

Instead it is believed the tactical option of allowing one bowler to carry on for another over if he is doing well will bring a new element to the game. Bowlers will be able to bowl a maximum of four overs in total. By allowing captains to keep bowlers on for a maximum of two consecutive overs it would cut down the number of end changes which will speed up the game. 

Trial matches are set to be held at Trent Bridge for the men, and at Loughborough for women in September to test out the playing regulations. 

It is also looking increasingly likely that England players will be made available for the first two rounds of the Hundred and the finals day when it is launched in 2020 in order to give the tournament more star quality. The international schedule will be tweaked to find time for the likes of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Joe Root to play in the competition. 

The ECB met with player representatives on Monday this week when the format of the tournament was discussed. 

Trent Woodhill, a freelance Twenty20 consultant, has joined the ECB for a month to help with the setting up of the competition from a playing perspective. Woodhill has experience in the IPL and Big Bash and will advise the ECB on how to set up new teams from employing coaches to player contracts.

Woodhill is general manager of Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Melbourne Stars. He has also worked as a batting coach for both franchises.

Woodhill was at New Road on Wednesday to talk to the England Lions players and will speak to county directors of cricket over the next month.