Tom Harrison, the chief executive of the ECB, insists that The Hundred, the governing body’s 100-ball format set to be unleashed in 2020, has received “overwhelming support”.

When asked about negative reactions in some quarters, Harrison told BBC Radio 4: “I don’t agree at all. I think we have got overwhelming support for the Hundred across the game.”

“Ultimately, I’m pleased that there’s debate in the game because it shows there’s real passion out there. It’s important we have the debate with cricket fans. We will work with everybody to get everyone in the right place. Everyone has been very engaging through this process, we have had some lively debate and that’s right and proper.”

“We are working very closely with all stakeholders, all counties – host counties and non-host counties – and have an awful lot of work to build on … hopefully a very successful World Cup to build on.”

Last week the Evening Standard reported that the ECB had applied for trademarks for the names of the six teams. However, Harrison was unwilling to be drawn into a discussion over the identities of the franchises: “There’s lots of speculation about whether those names are accurate or not. When the season is finished we will get to the business of revealing team identities.”