The counties will be shareholders in the new tournament to be played in a short four week block over high summer, and income ring fenced so it cannot be spent on the England team or other areas of the ECB’s operation. Players could be auctioned and contracted to the new league with income from the broadcasting deal paying for salaries.

All proposals, such as number of teams and detail of the tournament, are subject to change and discussion between the counties and Professional Cricketers’ Association.

The counties are keen retain their own Twenty20 competition played on Friday nights that continue to be popular and make money and could run alongside the new tournament. It means England will be the only country with two Twenty20 competitions in its domestic calendar.