Stokes would 'jump at Hundred opportunity'

BUT IT MAY TAKE TIME, SAYS RIVERSIDE CHIEF

- By RORY DOLLARD

DURHAM believe England captain Ben Stokes would “jump at the chance” to front a new Hundred team in the region, but accept they may have to wait until 2029 for the tournament to expand.

Discussions are still continuing between the England and Wales Cricket Board and the private investment groups who have agreed to plough around £520million of new money into the competition, with a number of areas yet to be ironed out before contracts are signed.

One of those relates to the terms for any future increase from the current eight-team structure, something Durham have long positioned themselves to benefit from.

The ECB's director of business operations, Vikram Banerjee, has described the idea as a “no-brainer”, but some prospective co-owners are more guarded about potentially diluting their stake in future broad-cast deals.