The Hundred will now launch in summer 2021, the ECB has announced.

The new franchise tournament was sold on growing the game with some of cricket’s biggest stars, such as Joe Root, Jofra Archer and David Warner, signed up to appear.

But with travel restrictions and social distancing measures in place as well as significant furloughing at cricket venues around the UK, the ECB felt a postponement was the only feasible option following a board meeting Wednesday.

In a statement ECB CEO Tom Harrison said: “The situation we find ourselves in as a country means that delivery of The Hundred will not be possible this summer.

“Whilst we are naturally disappointed that we won’t get to realise our ambitions this year, The Hundred will go ahead in 2021 when we are safely able to deliver everything we intended to help grow the game.

“As we emerge from the fallout of COVID-19, there will be an even greater need for The Hundred.

“Our survival as a game, long-term, will be dependent on our ability to recover financially and continue our ambition to build on cricket’s growing fan base.

“That need has not gone anyway, if anything, it is now more critical.”

The decision to move the controversial competition back a year follows the postponement of the professional season until July 1st at the very least.