Colin Graves seeks six-month extension to ECB chairmanship

Colin Graves' term as ECB chairman could be extended by six months, to allow him to oversee the first season of The Hundred.

Graves, who has been in his post since 2015, was due to step down in May 2020 after a five-year stint. However, he has been instrumental in the development of The Hundred, and is understood to be keen to preside over the competition's first season, which is due to be launched in July 2020.

His move has been proposed by the ECB's non-executive directors, including Lord Kamlesh Patel, Lucy Pearson and Jim Wood.

It now needs to be approved by at least 31 of the 41 counties at the board AGM on May 7, after the ECB's constitution was rewritten in 2018 to ensure it complied with Sport England's code for sports governance.

Should the motion pass, Graves would remain in office until November 2020, though the ECB has confirmed that a search for his successor would begin in September 2019.

"2020 promises to be an exciting year for cricket in England and Wales," Lord Patel said. "Given that Colin Graves has played a key role in overseeing the development of The Hundred, the Non-Executive Directors believe it is important to retain his services over the course of the 2020 domestic season.

"This will also provide the opportunity for the Chair elect to be able to shadow Colin Graves for a six-month period, over the course of a season, which will help ensure there is a smooth succession."