THE controversial Hundred cricket competition scheduled for this year may well be postponed due to coronavirus.

County members across the country have been vociferous in their opposition to the competition, saying it will have a negative impact on County sides and the T20 Blast.

The likely postponement of The Hundred, as well as additional delays to the 2020 season, were all discussed at a board meeting of the England and Wales Cricket Board this week.

The meeting, chaired by Colin Graves via teleconference, was presented with a series of recommendations to get the season underway after the season was delayed due to coroanvirus.

Options discussed included International cricket being the obvious priority with the T20 Blast being the most obvious and pragmatic way of getting all 18 counties playing again.

This means The Hundred would have to wait till 2021 if it happens at all.

The 100-ball format of the game was designed by the ECB to bring in "new fans" with a generous pricing policy making it clear attracting families was a major driver.

It now appears impossible, however, that any mass gatherings like this can happen.

The launch of the Hundred set the ECB back a considerable amount financially, with the tournament's big money launch date scheduled for July 17.

Earlier this month, Worcestershire became the second county after Yorkshire to furlough the majority of its playing and non-playing staff.

At the time, county chairman Fanos Hira said: "We do not know in what shape cricket will return this year, but we are confident that when it does, we will be ready. We are also confident we will survive this period of substantial challenge.

"We will update you further as things hopefully become clearer in the coming months. In the meantime, thank you for your continued support, please stay safe and healthy."

Domestic cricket in England was due to start on April 12 but the government lockdown led to a deferral of the start, meaning no cricket will be played before May 28, a timeline looking increasingly unfeasible.

England's first fixture of the summer is due to be against the West Indies at the Oval on June 4, but it appears there will be considerable changes to the international calendar, with Pakistan, Australia and Ireland all due to tour this summer.

More detailed plans on a return to action will not be made until there is more clarity from government - who have ultimate sign-off - but plans over creating 'bio-secure' environments have been drawn up.