PLAYERS strongly oppose the inclusion of a 10-ball over in the England and Wales Cricket Board’s new “Hundred” competition, their union warned yesterday.

The ECB announced earlier this year its planned franchise-based limited-overs tournament, due to begin in 2020, would feature innings of 100 balls in length, rather than of 20 overs.

They would be broken down into 15 traditional six-ball overs and one final over of 10 balls.

Some critics have derided this plan as a gimmick, while the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) has now expressed other concerns.

PCA chair Daryl Mitchell, a Worcestershire batsman, said: “There’s certainly strong opinion among the players that there shouldn’t be a 10-ball over.

“People who are going to bowl at ‘the death’ are concerned about that because of the physical demands and mental well-being. I don’t think it would be possible to ask, say, Tymal Mills to bowl a 10-ball over at 92-93 miles per hour, especially if you throw in the odd wide or no ball.

“Then it becomes 12 or 13 balls and I don’t think that’s good for the game as well as the bowler.

“You want the genuine quick bowlers to come steaming in because that’s what people want to see, and six balls is enough for them.”

Concerns have been expressed to the ECB and talks are set to continue. Mitchell hopes the ECB will take on board the opinions of players.

He added: “It’s very difficult for us to say whether we like the idea or not when we still don’t know what it’s going to look like. The momentum is turning in a positive direction but there are very much a number of sceptics among our members too.

“The new competition needs us on board because it needs to fly and do very well.”