The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had earlier announced that they have started the process of privatising the eight teams participating in The Hundred tournament. According to Vikram Banerjee, Director of Business Operations at the ECB, it will take them some time to find the right partner who will not only bring money but also their expertise.

According to ESPNcricinfo, each county involved in The Hundred has a 51% stake – which they can either hold on to or sell for money. The ECB has the other 49%, for which they are looking for a buyer. The money they get from selling the 49% stake will be distributed between the first-class counties, Marylebone Cricket Club and the recreational game.

“The most important thing is whether we find the right partners. If it takes a little while, that’s fine. We’ve been running for four years and so, if in this first round, we find that either the values ​​are not there for one or all the teams, or the right partner is not there for one or all the teams, that’s fine. We’ll just keep running it, we’ll do another year. My priority is to get the right partners and make them amazing and help us grow,” Banerjee told the Business of Sport podcast.

I think it is possible: Vikram Banerjee

Vikram Banerjee further said, ‘If we do not find the right partner, for example for London Spirit, then we will hold it and work with MCC for another year and then try it next year. I think it is possible. We want to completely confirm this deal in the next 6 months.’

Meanwhile, in August, The Telegraph reported that GMR Group, the co-owners of Delhi Capitals, agreed a £120 million deal to buy Hampshire, which will also see them own 51% of Southern Brave. However, this has not been made official yet. According to the report, the ECB has held extensive discussions with foreign investors. Apart from GMR Group, Sun Group, which owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, is currently in talks with the owner of Northern Superchargers.