The ECB board have moved a step closer to introducing cricket’s controversial new 100-ball format — and opened the door to Jofra Archer representing England from January.
The governing body’s new fully-independent board endorsed “next steps” for a series of “key strategic developments”. The new competition is one of those, alongside the County Partnership Agreement and the move to a 10-team Division One from 2020.
All these will be presented to the counties in January. The board also agreed to the Cricket Committee’s recommendation for the 100-ball format’s playing conditions.
They also agreed to adjust eligibility criteria for players wanting to represent England, from January 1. Players must now be a British citizen and either have been born in England or Wales or been resident for three years — rather than the previous seven.
That makes 23-year-old Sussex all-rounder Archer eligible next year. He was born in Barbados but has a British passport through his English father, and is now an option for the World Cup and Ashes next summer.
