SOMERSET spinner Max Waller has called on the ECB to rethink their plans for the new city-based tournament set to begin in 2020.

Currently known as ‘The Hundred’ due to the proposed 100-ball format, reports this week have suggested the tournament could be anything from 11 to 15-a-side, feature 10 balls bowled from an end at a time or contain five or seven-ball overs.

As Somerset’s PCA representative this summer, Waller has been involved in meetings with his fellow professionals and believes the ideas need fine tuning.

He told the County Gazette: “I don’t think it’s been taken too well with many of the players.

“It’s so far away from what was proposed and if you keep moving the goalposts you will inevitably upset people. 

“There are all these radical ideas coming out through the media but nothing concrete.

“There will be more money coming in to the game for the players, which is a good thing, but I think it would be best to keep it simple and run it as T20. 

“The Big Bash works, the IPL works, so I think we should focus on that format and make it the best we can.

“I would be interested in playing in it [a 100-ball match] – I think as a cricketer you have to be up for playing whatever format is put in front of you - but T20 is known all around the world and is popular.”

The new tournament, whatever the format, will not be played in Taunton, with Cardiff the nearest of the eight city-based venues.

It was there that Waller was able to celebrate a personal milestone last Friday, taking his 100th T20 wicket in his 100th match as he took 2-20 in Somerset’s victory over Glamorgan.

Somerset County Gazette:

MILESTONE: Max Waller now has 100 T20 wickets for Somerset in as many matches. Pic: Alex Davidson/SCCC

“It was brilliant to do it on the same night as my 100th game and it was even more special to contribute to a winning cause,” he said.

“I’m enjoying bowling the first over at the moment – batsmen generally have a look early on to assess the conditions and there are also opportunities to take wickets in the powerplay.

“The two wins last week stand us in good stead and Jerome Taylor coming in should help us with our death bowling, which we have struggled with in our first five games.”

Waller has formed an effective spin partnership with Roelof van der Merwe, with the pair going at 6.38 and 7.09 runs an over respectively in the tournament to date as they continue to keep Dom Bess out of the T20 side.

The seamers, by contrast, each have economy rates of over 10 after the first five matches.

“Pace off the ball has been an effective tactic in T20s for a few years now and I enjoy bowling with Roelof - he’s a great guy and a quality bowler,” Waller said.

Somerset’s next challenge is a trip to face an in-form Surrey side in front of a packed house at The Kia Oval on Friday night.

“I’m really looking forward to it – I love those occasions and perhaps I’ll have to have an outrageous celebration lined up,” Waller said.

“It will be a big test for us and we then have three home games in a row, so we have a chance to build momentum.”