DURHAM believe England captain Ben Stokes would “jump at the chance” to front a new Hundred team in the region, but accept they may have to wait until 2029 for the tournament to expand.

Discussions are still continuing between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the private investment groups who have agreed to plough around £520 million of new money into the competition, with a number of areas yet to be ironed out before contracts are signed.

One of those relates to the terms for any future increase from the current eight-team structure, something Durham have long positioned themselves to benefit from.