Rain stopped play could finally be a thing of the past. Telegraph Sport can reveal tests are being conducted on new technology that could see mesh canopy placed over cricket grounds to allow play to continue if it rains.

The testing is at a very early stage but has already attracted the interest of the England & Wales Cricket Board which in turn has spoken to the MCC to help partner any research into the project.

A company in the United States approached the ECB recently with a proposal to help solve the problem of rain at sporting events. A very fine, transparent mesh would be held up by wires suspended from floodlights with a hot air balloon in the centre to lift it up and create a tent like effect.

“We would look at any new technology and ways to get games on and more people playing cricket,” said an ECB spokesman.

There are still some serious issues to solve such as what to do with the run-off water and safety in high wind and the technology is believed to be at least two years away from becoming a reality. If testing is successful it could prevent rain washing out play, a particular problem in England and one that could seriously undermine the new Twenty20 tournament in 2020.