NEW DELHI: In a recent update, Mark Nicholas, the president of MCC and soon-to-be chairman of London Spirit, revealed that five IPL teams have expressed a tentative interest in acquiring a stake in the Lord’s-based team competing in The Hundred.

Nicholas, a renowned commentator and writer, shared this revelation based on a letter sent to members by MCC CEO Guy Lavender.The letter sought the members’ approval for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)’s proposal to privatize a 49 percent stake in the Spirit, with the remaining 51 percent retained by the franchise. The interested IPL teams will be selected through a bidding process, though Nicholas did not reveal the names of the teams that have shown interest.

Privatizing a significant portion of the London Spirit franchise is anticipated to attract fresh investment and expertise from the IPL, which has become a global phenomenon in cricket. The Hundred, a new 100-ball format introduced by the ECB, has garnered considerable attention and has the potential to draw a broader audience to the sport. “What we are putting to a vote is the acceptance of the ECB’s offer for a 51 percent share of this franchise (Spirit),” said Nicholas.

“Our primary goal is to achieve membership harmony, as every member is entitled to their opinion,” Nicholas stated at Lord’s while announcing the inaugural ‘World Cricket Connects’ symposium in London on July 5. The symposium is expected to feature BCCI secretary Jay Shah, current India coach Rahul Dravid, and England coach Brendon McCullum. Additionally, representatives from various IPL franchises are anticipated to attend the event.

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However, according to Nicholas, the ECB is still figuring out the steps leading up to the bidding process. “But the reality is that not everything is clear yet. For instance, how will the bidding process be conducted? What’s the rollout plan for these franchises in the bidding? We don’t know that yet. The ECB hasn’t disclosed this information. We’ve met with the investment bank, and I’m not sure they even know yet. There’s still a lot for us to learn,” Nicholas was quoted as saying by PTI via ‘ESPNCricinfo’.

Nicholas further stressed the necessity for the English cricket establishment to adapt to the rapidly growing world of franchise cricket. He noted that this approach was prudent, given that England had missed a similar opportunity two decades ago. “We missed out on T20 in 2003 when we could have seized it. India was quicker and smarter, as they often are. India moves at an extraordinary pace to make things happen,” said Nicholas.

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Nicholas, a highly regarded former First-Class cricketer who scored over 18,000 runs for Hampshire in county cricket, highlighted the importance of seizing the second chance presented to English cricket by ‘The Hundred’. He emphasized that this opportunity should not be overlooked.

“The Hundred has provided us with another chance. MCC members appreciate being involved in discussions rather than being relegated to history. The members I speak with genuinely embrace the idea of having a team (an MCC team in The Hundred) and relish the opportunities it brings.”