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Lancashire have thrown their support behind plans to bring external investment into The Hundred but chair Andy Anson says extending the length of the tournament would be a red line for the Red Rose.<\/p>\n
Consultations over changes to the ownership model are ongoing between the England and Wales Cricket Board, the 18 first-class counties and MCC, with a vote due in the new year.<\/p>\n
The ECB currently owns all eight teams outright and rents the venues but is ready to transfer a controlling stake to the host counties, allowing them to sell shares to new investors and create a fresh income stream for both the competition and the wider domestic game.<\/p>\n
Discussions have also taken place over the structure of the competition, with options including growing to 10 or 12 teams or involving all 18 teams by creating a second division.<\/p>\n
Lancashire are keen to take control of Manchester Originals \u2013 who play at Emirates Old Trafford \u2013 but are against the two-division plan and have made it clear that The Hundred must not be given any more time in the calendar than the three weeks it currently has in August.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can confirm discussions have taken place between all first-class counties and the ECB regarding transfer of controlling interest in The Hundred teams to the host venues. As a board we are supportive of this,\u201d Anson said in a statement on the club\u2019s YouTube channel.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is in Lancashire Cricket\u2019s best interests to have greater control of Manchester Originals.<\/p>\n
We would be very concerned that a two-tier Hundred would prevent Lancashire playing as the Red Rose during the month of August and this would not be acceptable<\/p>\n
\u201cThis would mean we can drive the team as a commercial entity. I was also very concerned about the level of central costs of the ECB associated with The Hundred: they were too high and we believe the operating model was sub-optimal.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a board we have clear preference for a way forward. We do support transfer of a controlling equity stake of Manchester Originals to Lancashire Cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see Manchester Originals as separate to Lancashire and in no way as a replacement for Lancashire in the different formats.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would be very concerned that a two-tier Hundred would prevent Lancashire playing as the Red Rose during the month of August and this would not be acceptable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would not accept any expansion to the window in the schedule allocated to the Hundred, even if the number of teams expanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe therefore support a single division solution, with expansion only if it can fit into the existing time window.\u201d<\/p>\n
Durham chief executive Tim Bostock this week told the PA news agency that he was \u201c100 per cent committed\u201d to bringing a ninth Hundred team to the north east and would be ready to proceed in time for the 2025 season.<\/p>\n