The summer of 2010 will see a Twenty20 Premier League take place in June before the the normal domestic competition follows on later in the season.

The latter tournament will now be played primarily on Friday nights in July, August and September.

And, as Northants Cricket chief executive Mark Tagg explained, that will mean a rethink in the timescale for bringing day/night matches back to Wantage Road.

"From our point of view the announcement makes the need to get permanent floodlights that much more urgent," he said.

"With some of the matches being played on Friday nights in September we want to be able to start at a decent time for spectators and not four o'clock just so we can get it played before it gets dark.

"We've had meetings with some suppliers and are now waiting for the quotes to come back.

"Then we'll go to the ECB – because they are paying for them – and make sure they are happy.

"I envisage planning permission taking around about 12 months so I can't see us having them next year.

"But, hopefully, they will be in place by 2010 in time for the new
format."

Tagg also gave his backing to the ECB plans.

He confessed to being relieved when they opted for the structure that involves all 18 counties rather than other proposals including a a city franchise idea.

He added: "That was obviously the important thing for Northants and I'm delighted we will be involved.

"How it will all work out is something we will have to wait and see. There are still a lot of things to be sorted out.

"We don't know yet how the teams are going to be split for the two EPL divisions or how overseas players might be allocated.

"We asked for a structure that would have given all the counties the chance to win the Championship but that has not happened.

"Also, although it was inevitable it would go, the Pro40 was the format that members preferred to watch rather than the 50-over game.

"But, overall, I think we have to be happy with the way they have decided to go."


For more EPL reaction please see today's edition of the Evening Telegraph.