England strikes back with EPL

Having rejected a leaked proposal that would have left out half the country’s 18 counties...

Having rejected a leaked proposal that would have left out half the country’s 18 counties, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Wednesday that it would start a two-division tournament containing all the sides plus two overseas guest teams.

The ECB also plans to scrap its Pro40 tournament in 2009, allowing for a total overhaul of club cricket in England.

The 40-over tournament will be replaced by a separate Twenty20 league involving the 18 counties, with matches played mostly on Friday nights in July and August.

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The 2010 season in England will also include a 50-over one-day tournament alongside the traditional county championship.

There will be an overseas team in each 10-team league in the EPL, which was proposed on Tuesday during an ECB board meeting just months after the enormously successful debut of the Indian Premier League.

The guest teams are likely to be the winner of the IPL plus a side assembled by Texan billionaire Allen Stanford.

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