A new two-division Twenty20 domestic cricket tournament is to launch in June 2010 in a revised bid by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to rival the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Nine teams will compete in each division of the new P20 competition, which will include the promotion and relegation of three sides each year, as well as determining England's representatives in the Champions League. The first division of the P20 tournament will comprise the top three teams in each of the area groups for this year's Twenty20 cup, which will also form the basis of a second new 20-over competition launching later in 2010.

ECB chair Giles Clarke said: "I wish to thank Nigel Hilliard, the Essex chairman, and his working party for all the hard work they have put into the framework of this competition. I am sure it will be another exciting development in the domestic cricket season." The ECB board will now meet to discuss the technicalities of the new P20 tournament, including the number of foreign players permitted, as well as the playing conditions.