ECB Board approve P20 plans

THE England and Wales Cricket Board today approved plans for a two-division P20 competition starting in June 2010.

At their Board meeting the ECB agreed:

A competition with two divisions of nine teams

Qualification for the top division of P20 will be the three top teams in each area group in this year’s Twenty20 Cup

Promotion and relegation will be three up, three down

The P20 will be staged in June each year

Qualification for the Champions League will be from this competition

There will be a second twenty20 competition in the later part of the 2010 season based on the present format of the Twenty20 Cup

ECB chairman Giles Clarke (pictured)said: ’I wish to thank Nigel Hilliard, the Essex chairman, and his working party for all the hard work they have put into the framework of this competition. I am sure it will be another exciting development in the domestic cricket season.’

The ECB Board will now consider the playing conditions, the number of overseas players and other technical issues at their forthcoming meeting.

At their last meeting the ECB Board decided that there should be female representation at the highest level in the organisation. The Board yesterday agreed that the most effective method of achieving this would be to appoint special advisors to the Board and will now investigate the constitutional changes necessary to accommodate this move.

The ECB Board also heard from the new England Team Director Andy Flower as well as England women’s team coach

Mark Lane

and ECB Head of Women’s Cricket Clare Connor. Mr Clarke added: All three were hugely impressive and we wish them well in the exciting season ahead.’

Picture courtesy of Getty Images