Stokes would 'jump at Hundred opportunity'

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.

- By RORY DOLLARD

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 broadcast deals.