Lancashire keen for greater control of Manchester Originals, concerned by expansion of The Hundred

Club chair Andy Anson believes expanding the competition risks "undermining county cricket" and warned any developments which would prevent counties from playing in August would be deemed "unacceptable" by Lancashire

The Cricketer | 21/12/2023 at 12:50

Lancashire are in favour taking "greater control" of Hundred franchise Manchester Originals but would not support any extension of the competition, according to club chair, Andy Anson.

Future editions of the competitions, he believes, should remain within the existing four-week time window currently allocated in the calendar and any developments which prevent Lancashire from also playing red or white-ball cricket in August would be "unacceptable".

Discussions are ongoing between the ECB and the 18 first-class counties regarding the future of The Hundred, which is currently contracted to run until at least 2028 but has proved divisive on the domestic scene.

At present, the ECB owns all eight franchises and rents the venue from the host counties during August. However, they are considering transferring a controlling stake to the host counties or opening the competition up to external investment.

ansonhundred21122301

^{Lancashire chair Andy Anson [Patrick Bulger/Getty Images]}

"It is in Lancashire's best interests to have greater control of Manchester Originals, ideally with a controlling equity interest," Anson said in a statement via the club's YouTube channel.

"I can confirm discussions have taken place between all first-class counties and the ECB regarding the transfer of the controlling interest to the host venues. As a board we are supportive of this."

A number of options are also on the table regarding the competition's structure, including maintaining the current eight-team system, expanding to 10 or 12 teams, or introducing a two-tiered system of eight and 10 teams, respectively, with promotion and relegation or two closed competitions both being considered.

Earlier in December, Durham CEO Tim Bostock told Press Association the county were "100 per cent committed" to bringing a Hundred franchise to the north-east.

hundred21122303

^{Anson is keen to preserve county cricket's August window in the calendar [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

Anson, however, is concerned any expansion would risk "undermining" the county game.

He continued: "We would be very concerned that a two-tier Hundred would prevent Lancashire from playing as the Red Rose in August and this is unacceptable to us. The reason this would happen is that players not drafted into the top division could go and play in the second tier, undermining country cricket in August in our opinion.

"As a board we have a clear preference for the way forward. We do support the transfer of a controlling equity stake in Manchester Originals to Lancashire [but] we would not accept any expansion of the window in the schedule allocated to The Hundred, even if the number of teams is expanded.

"Lancashire needs to be playing cricket at the same time as The Hundred in either red or white-ball formats. We are happy with the current 50-over format taking place at this time. Also, the T20 Blast needs to be a priority for everyone and should be improved, not undermined, by these discussions and decisions."