The domestic 50-over tournament will be used as a “development competition” next season when it runs alongside The Hundred, the ECB has admitted.

After primarily building this season around England’s attempt to win the 50-over World Cup on home soil in June and July, the country’s leading players will not play in the format next year, with the counties expected to field youth teams in the Royal London Cup because of a clash with The Hundred.

The ECB is prioritising the 100-ball format, in which the eight new franchises will be able to field three overseas players, in addition to England stars who will not play in 50-over cricket. This season’s Royal London Cup starts next week, but next year it will be staged in