LONDON — English cricket has moved closer to introducing an Australian Big Bash-style Twenty20 tournament to its domestic calendar after county sides reached agreement on a new eight-team competition for as soon as 2018.

British media are reporting that teams will be from cities rather than from counties.

The England and Wales Cricket Board and 18 first-class counties agreed to developing a new T20 competition in a bid to "drive interest and participation at all levels," especially among younger people.

ECB chairman Colin Graves said Wednesday the new competition "can excite new fans, attract the best players and fuel the future of the game, on and off the pitch."

The ECB must formally consider the proposal at its board meeting in mid-October. The eight-team tournament would run outside the current T20 Blast competition that involves all 18 counties.