The First Class Forum (FCF), comprising the 18 first-class counties and the MCC, has met at Lord's to discuss the restructuring of the domestic game.

The proposed new league was on the agenda, alongside proposals for more one-day internationals, 12-month England contracts and an increase in the quota for overseas players.

In the end, the counties agreed by majority vote on all the issues tabled before them.

The new competition is bound to attract most interest.

Counties have the option of staging the matches at 5.30pm, if they do not wish to use floodlights, or at 7.30pm.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) now has to find a suitable sponsor for the competition.

And though that hasn't always been an easy thing in cricket in the past, the new-look element of the competiton should make things easier.

"The market research has, in particular, clearly shown the need for cricket to become accessible to new and younger audiences," said FCF chairman David Morgan before Thrusday's vote.

Ten one-dayers

In addition, England will play more one-day internationals in the summer season to bring them into line with other leading nations.

The current triangular tournament format sees England play either six or seven matches, depending on whether they reach the final.