The ECB will resist plans to implement a new Twenty20 tournament into domestic cricket based on the Indian Premier League.

The plans, drafted by MCC secretary Keith Bradshaw and Surrey chairman David Stewart and discussed at length with officials at Hampshire and Lancashire, propose a radical new format to the county structure.

But, speaking to BBC Test match special, ECB chairman Giles Clarke appeared to distance himself from the proposals and stressed: "There have been a lot of ideas pushed around, most of debatable economic validity. Quite a lot of it is probably not going to find favour with me; there may be elements of it to take into consideration."

He added: "I am firmly in favour of 18 counties playing matches for their home crowds. I don't see why they should be fearful for their county futures."

"The board agreed at their last meeting on an 18-county structure. We're very firm that the 18-county structure taking the game around the country is really important for cricket in England and Wales.

"History and tradition is something only a fool breaks asunder. We need to ensure whatever is produced will be economically viable, will provide cricket people want to watch and the right format for our national side in all forms of cricket."

The proposals, which are due to be presented at the ECB Board meeting on Tuesday attended by all 18 counties and the MCC, set out plans for each consortium to enter a bidding process for players similar to that seen in this year's inaugural IPL.

Each squad would have a proposed salary cap of £1.5million and must include 12 homegrown players, with three of those under 23 years of age, while there would be an auction for overseas players.

All profits and revenue from the tournament would be shared between the ECB, who would distribute it down to the counties and grassroots cricket, and overseas boards, who would provide some of the star players.

The plans also include a separate Friday night Twenty20 tournament and a limited-overs competition - probably 50-overs - to be run at the weekends.