ECB endorses playing conditions for The Hundred

The Hundred has come one step closer to fruition, after the ECB endorsed the playing conditions for its new competition at their board meeting at Lord's on Wednesday.

The ECB confirmed that it had "agreed next steps for" the implementation of the tournament, stating: "Each innings to be 100 balls, a change of end after every 10 balls and an individual bowler able to deliver either five or 10 consecutive balls with a maximum of 20 per game"

Further details of the new competition are expected to be "presented to the whole game at a series of meetings in January 2019", along with the board's overarching strategy for 2020-24, which was also agreed at the board meeting and will be aimed at "support[ing] the sustainability and future growth of cricket in England and Wales".

In the course of the meeting, next steps were also agreed for the County Partnership Agreement (CPA), as well as a new structure for current County competitions, which will be revealed in due course.

Confirming the decisions, Tom Harrison, the ECB's chief executive, said: "The game has made huge progress this year, through collaboration, constructive debate and a volume of detailed discussion. The outcomes for all of this combined work are vital for the growth and sustainability of cricket, at all levels, in England and Wales.

"The strategy we have created over the last 12 months will give the whole game clear priorities and allow us to deliver these together. "It will guide our investment, drive our relationships, and make things happen locally and nationally.

"The Strategy, Domestic Structure, New Competition and CPA are all interlinked so it is right that we share all the details - together and in context - at the same time across the game.

"This will happen in the New Year."