The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled the format for its new, 20-over-a-side competition, the Twenty20 Cup, which will start next season. Eagerly awaited (by some), the competition is actively seeking a sponsor, although the ambition of the organisers knows no bounds. "We are looking for a family of sponsors rather than a headline sponsor," said a spokesman. "It would be more like a Champions League-style of sponsorship." We shall not be holding our breath ... The teams will be divided into three zonal groups - North, Mid/Wales/West and South - and will play each other in a 12-day period between June 13 and 24, before progressing to Lord's on July 19, where the semi-finals and final will take place on the same day

All group matches will start at 5.30pm, and the onus will be on speedy scoring and rapid over-rates. Severe penalties will be imposed for time-wasting, and each incoming batsman will have just 90 seconds to receive his first ball, otherwise he will be timed out. Teams have only 75 minutes to bowl their 20 overs (white Kookaburra balls will be used), and face a six-run penalty for each undelivered over.

The ECB had discussed the possibility of a "golden over", in which the batsmen would score double in a designated over, but in the end this idea was ruled out. Instead, fielding restrictions will apply for the first six overs of an innings, and bowlers will be limited to four overs per match.

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