The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has blocked plans to stage the final of a proposed Euro Nations Cup, a T20 tournament for European nations, at Lord's. The concept, developed by the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, had the backing of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which was willing to make Lord's available, but the ECB declined to sign off on the staging agreement required for such an event within its jurisdiction. The decision matters because it stalls an initiative aimed at growing European cricket and building new geographically based rivalries.

Discussions on the annual men's and women's competition began earlier this year, with organisers hoping to launch as soon as early next summer, and Sir Paul Getty's ground at Wormsley also mooted as a venue. A source said the ECB feared a backlash from counties over international cricket clashing with the domestic season, while chief executive Richard Gould cited difficulties fitting the event around England's existing commitments. The ECB declined to comment. The move has disappointed European cricket circles, with a senior International Cricket Council official saying the ECB should recognise that "a rising tide lifts all boats".