Durham, Bristol and Taunton are also considered possible landing spots for new teams.

London is being touted as a potential destination for a third franchise should The Hundred expand to ten teams, according to The Telegraph.

Durham and a combination of Bristol and Taunton had been considered the frontrunners for any potential expansion franchises given the northeast and southwest English regions do not have any representative team in The Hundred, which staged its first season in 2021.

However reports suggests that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) believes English capital, which already hosts London Spirit and the Oval Invincibles, would be more attractive to potential investors – especially if the team plays its home games at Lord’s.

It is also suggested a third franchise would also provide an opportunity to further engage the inner-city population in London, which has a disproportionate low share of professional cricketers. But this would be a controversial idea given the competition would have to snub those based in the northeast and southwest regions respectively.

Any changes to the number of teams within the Hundred will require a three-quarter voting majority from a group of 19 made up of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the 18 first-class counties. Three-quarters of all ECB members would also need to approve the revamped competition structure for it to be enacted.

The ECB could yet opt to stick with the current eight teams, or even expand to 18 to ensure all counties are represented. Any changes might not come into effect as late as 2029.

Regardless of expansion plans, the ECB is expected to open up ownership of the tournament’s teams to private investors later this year.

The MCC, which jointly runs the Spirit alongside counties Middlesex, Essex and Northamptonshire and owns Lord’s, has already voiced its interest in owning a franchise.

“There’s a bit of support for it,” MCC president Mark Nicholas told The Cricketer earlier this year. “We are waiting for the ECB to reveal the details. In principle it would be great for MCC members to own and support their own team.

“Just in general terms I think it’s a shame that a major cricket club doesn’t have a team to support, and when the ECB take The Hundred to market, it could be a real opportunity for us to fix that.”