Rockets are grounded for 12 months

The newly-formed team - which was to represent Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in the inaugural 100-ball campaign - will not see action this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Thursday that the launch of The Hundred will now take place in summer 2021.

The news follows a meeting dedicated to the subject, where the board concluded it was not possible for the competition to be staged this year.

The new competition has a vision to grow the game and is part of the ECB’s long-term strategy to inspire a new generation to choose cricket.

A number of reasons were outlined for the decision including:

Operational challenges caused by social distancing, alongside ongoing global travel restrictions, making the competition’s ambition to feature world-class players and coaches unattainable in 2020.

A behind closed doors competition directly contradicts the competition’s goal to attract a broader audience through a unique event experience for viewers and spectators.

With significant furloughing across the partnership network of 20 venues, the logistics of delivering a brand-new sporting event, without a tried-and-tested delivery plan, would be incredibly challenging.

ECB chief executive officer 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.”