Cricket: Hampshire and Rajastan Royals Agree to Franchise Deal

The owners of the Rajastan Royals in the Indian Premier League are looking to make a "World Franchise" with teams from around the world.

This will enable players from each franchise to play for other teams in Twenty20 competitions around the world (subject to the approval of the countries boards allowing that).

Hampshire of England, are the first team to sign up for the franchise. This means that Hampshire will drop their "Hawks" one-day name, and are in talks with Worcestershire to either change from the Royals or England and will have two Royals in their one-day competitions.

Worcestershire have said they have no problems about this change to Hampshire's name.

Under the plan, Hampshire will join Cape Cobras from South Africa, Victoria in Australia, and Trinidad & Tobago under the Royals2020 "brand."

The England and Wales Cricket Board still need to receive full details of the plan, but Rajasthan chairman Manoj Badale was confident the franchise would come into effect.

If all goes to plan, the "Franchises" who will Kit Share as part of the deal, will all go into a Festival of Cricket in different countries around the world. This will add to an already busy cricketing schedule.

The first will be proposed for Lord's this summer and the next in Sydney during December.

Personally, I want to know everyone's views on this subject. Do you think this "Franchise" will work, or could it kill County Cricket all together?