England and Wales Cricket Board chief Giles Clarke says he is opposed to any plans to merge the 18 first-class counties into "city franchises".

The Professional Cricketers' Association believes the format could work as an alternative to India's Twenty20 leagues.

But Clarke said: "Franchise sport has simply never worked in the UK.

"Tradition and history rather than Bollywood stars and glitz are what persuade supporters to return week in, week out, to our grounds."

Speaking at the ECB's annual general meeting, Clarke said his vision of an English Premier League would be based on the traditional model rather than new teams.

He said "Some of the ideas spouted in the media have been frankly ludicrous.

"Can you, I was asked by a leading television executive, imagine cricket lovers rushing down St John's Wood Road to see a franchise called Vodafone Team London owned by an ageing rock star?

"There has never yet been a successful Team London in any sport and nor is there likely to be any support for a Team Manchester or Team Leeds from traditional areas of rivalry such as Liverpool or Sheffield.

"When ECB launched their own Twenty20 Cup it was on the back of extensive spectator research and financial analysis.

"This is an exercise we will repeat before launching any new competition because we have said this tournament must be robust, spectator-friendly and economically sustainable."

Some of the individual counties' chief executives and chairmen favour a smaller number of teams, while others agree with Clarke.

American billionaire Sir Allen Stanford has already said he is ready to invest heavily in an English version of the IPL, which he believes could be worth as much as £500m.

But Clarke said: "I thank Sir Allen for his interest in cricket in England and Wales, and most of all I thank him for believing the ECB is the right vehicle through which to expand his patronage in cricket.

"I hope to give more details in the days and weeks ahead, but I can guarantee that everyone in the game - from playground to Test arena - will benefit from this deal."


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