The four-week tournament remains in its scheduled slot of an October 18 start, although Cricket Australia have reserved the right in the circumstances to reassess the situation as late as August.

SPECIAL REPORT: There are growing concerns that the new franchise-based tournament is unaffordable given the challenges facing cricket amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Sportsmail revealed in November that assistant coach Paul Collingwood had already been earmarked to take charge of the one-day home series against Ireland, scheduled for September.

The ECB had initially announced that no cricket would be played in the UK until May 28 at the earliest, but - as expected - the pandemic has caused a further delay.

The ECB have delayed the 2020 season until at least July 1, leaving just three months to complete the remaining nine County Championship rounds, the Twenty20 Blast and the new Hundred competition.

English cricket supremo Tom Harrison has warned of dire financial consequences for the sport amid fears that the new season will not take place at all because of the coronavirus.

The prospect of the sanctioned use of artificial substances to alter the condition of the red ball, under the supervision of umpires, has been debated this week by the ICC's medical committee.

ECB chief Tom Harrison revealed on Friday that he had offers 'on the table' from both New Zealand and Australia, as English cricket explores all options in a bid to fulfil its fixture list.

In a report seen by Sportsmail, consultants Oakwell Sports Advisory recommend selling a stake in each of the eight franchises to private equity as a potential solution to the financial issues.

Australia were due to play three ODIs and three Twenty20s against England from July 3 and ECB chief executive Tom Harrison last week expressed hopes that they would still go ahead.

The Hundred's inaugural season is set to be formally delayed at a board meeting of the England and Wales Board Cricket Board.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: Hampshire are willing to host more than one Test this summer, with chief Rod Bransgrove confident club can help get cricket up and running again in a biosecure environment.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: The ECB instigated a review into Watmore's appointment last week after revelations that he had been subject of an independent whistleblowing report.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: The ECB will become the first governing body or league in the country to lose domestic television income as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY LAWRENCE BOOTH: The summer of 1970 remains unique in the annals of English cricket. South Africa, the scheduled tourists, were ditched after protests.

Sportsmail understands that while the ECB have not been involved directly in talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India they are aware of the various contingencies being drawn up.

EXCLUSIVE: England hope to play six Tests this summer at only two venues, in a new proposed schedule for the season that could exclude all county and women's cricket. 

EXCLUSIVE By MATT HUGHES: The ECB will face opposition from MCC and counties who play at major Test venues if they seek to sell stakes in Hundred franchises to private equity,

Cricket manufacturer Kookaburra have developed a wax applicator that would allow balls to be shined without using sweat or saliva during the coronavirus crisis.

Dukes, the manufacturers of balls used in English home Tests, have dismissed the need for artificial substances to aid shining if international cricket is played this summer.

ECB are asking players to take 20 per cent pay cuts if the Hundred's original draft list is kept for 2021. The retention of the eight 15-man squads on 80 per cent of their agreed terms would save £1.536million.

England's Test stars reportedly face strict bio-secure measures as part of ambitious plans to ensure their summer series' against West Indies and Pakistan are staged.

With ECB chief Tom Harrison warning of a £380m black hole in the game's finances if no cricket is possible, Connor remains hopeful England will still be able to face India and South Africa.

Bolus won all seven of his caps in the space of eight months in 1963 and 1964, hitting the first ball he faced in Test cricket - from legendary West Indies fast bowler Wes Hall - for four.

Mark Wood, the England fast bowler who has produced the best form of his career over the last year or so, says the players have 'asked good questions' and have been given 'good answers'.

It is a timeframe that clashes with England's proposed return to international action - one that is set to be held in a bio-secure environment following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

EXCLUSIVE BY RICHARD GIBSON: Currently Pakistan are due to contest three Tests in August, plus three Twenty20 internationals, but are understood to be open to a longer stay.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: When Graham Williams walked out to bat at Lord's on May 21, 1945, it had not been a fortnight since Germany's surrender.

The 51-year-old actor gave a rather bizarre statement on the situation to People on Thursday. His ex-wife Mueller reportedly agreed to a psych evaluation after a bizarre 24 hours.

The actor's tweet, which read, 'Dear God; Trump next, please!,' was shared as the world reacted to the death of Carrie Fisher's mother Debbie Reynolds - the latest huge name to pass away in 2016.

She has always shown her magnanimous side throughout their confrontations. In the Twitter image she sits at a table with the Two And A Half Men star and their daughters.

He reignited a three year-old feud with Rihanna last week. 'dear @rihanna, pardon my inane self indulgence. let's have a drink someday (on me)....' he wrote, signing off with a loveheart

He sparked an infamous twitter war in 2014 against Ashton Kutcher. But now Charlie Sheen has said he blames his ego for his temper tirades and regrets the way he treated the actor stepping into his role.

Charlie Sheen has revealed that he was instrumental in helping fellow actor Woody Harrelson reach Hollywood icon status. 

Erstwhile spouses Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen took their two daughters, 12-year-old Sam and 11-year-old Lola, to a Twenty-One Pilots concert in Anaheim on Wednesday.

The 51-year-old appeared to comply with authorities as he disembarked his plane so it could be inspected by police, who were joined by sniffer dogs.

Researchers at San Diego State University have published a study showing Sheen's TV appearance sparked an uptick with rates of people getting at-home HIV tests - reaching a record high.

Finding a place that is welcoming to dogs can be difficult. But Jane Bussman took her two dogs Homer and Thistle to Andalucia on the family break - and it threw up memorable results.

Kendall Jenner appears to be investing her fortune wisely after snapping up an $8.55 million Beverly Hills mansion, which the 22-year-old now intends to renovate.

Charlie Sheen, 52, claims the unidentified woman suing him for exposure to HIV is a prostitute who knew he was positive when they first met and signed an NDA before they had sex.

Denise Richards has called on ex-husband Charlie Sheen to help her pay an outstanding bill that is keeping the 47-year-old from seeing her beloved horses Lily and Hansel, according to The Blast.

He's in an ongoing legal battle. Back in June 2017, an ex-lover sued Charlie Sheen for failing to disclose his HIV diagnosis before they had unprotected sex.

Charlie Sheen has been dating beauty Julia Stambler for over a year. And on Saturday evening the couple proved they are still going strong as they looked happy at Project Angel Food's benefit.

The 52-year-old actor could be seen passing out pills alongside 17-year-old rapper Lil Pump in a clip for the single Drug Addicts.

Charlie Sheen is set tour Down Under for a speaking engagements in Melbourne and Sydney.

Charlie Sheen's first-ever speaking tour in Australia later this year looks set to be an eye-opener.

The Hollywood bad boy is charging fans up to $1500 to attend his upcoming Australian shows

Charlie Sheen's first-ever Australian speaking tour will be held in November, with the Hollywood star visiting Sydney and Melbourne.

Ahead of his first-ever Australian speaking tour, Charlie Sheen has opened up about the day he first learned he had contracted HIV. 

Charlie Sheen has previously admitted responsibility over his dramatic falling out and feud with Two And A Half Men creator Chuck Lorre.