Revealed: Why Ben Stokes could soon be playing for Newcastle United after groundbreaking football & cricket crossover talks

Talks are taking place that could see county sides in England adopt the names of local football and rugby clubs when competing in white-ball formats of the game. Revolutionary plans are being considered that would lead to crossover branding across multiple sports.

According to The Times, sweeping changes are being mulled over when it comes to the divisive Hundred competition in English domestic cricket. The current 100-ball system could be scrapped entirely and replaced with a county-based competition that takes inspiration from the football pyramid - including promotion and relegation.

A number of options are being considered that would help to generate more revenue for the domestic game. That could include adopting football or rugby team names in a bid to generate support among local fan bases – with there suggestions that Durham, the home of England Test captain Stokes, could play as Newcastle United and Archer’s employers at Sussex as Brighton.

The proposals would allow private investment to be generated by selling equity in each of the teams, with it possible that the 18 first-class counties – or all 39 first-class and national counties – could be involved in a project that expands the reach and appeal of short-form cricket in England.