A MASSIVE 28 organisations have shown “expressions of interest” in the inaugural Women’s Cricket Super League, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday.

The ECB announced in June that the summer league will start in the summer of 2016, with the process of determining the six teams which will participate already underway.

ECB director of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said: “The level of interest shown in becoming a Women’s Cricket Super League team host through the initial ‘expression of interest’ process has been remarkable and reflects a strong, national appetite for a new and dynamic competition.

“Despite levels of participation in sport and exercise being a concern across the UK, participation in women’s and girls’ cricket has seen pleasing growth in recent years.

“We are really excited about the innovative opportunity that the Women’s Cricket Super League gives us to reach new participants and attract new fans to the game, and we are determined to make the most of this opportunity.

“We now look forward to exploring each different approach, finding out who the six eventual hosts will be, and then working with them to create the high performance environments which are best placed to secure England’s success on the international stage for years to come.”

The first season will be Twenty20 cricket only but from 2017 50-over formats will be introduced.

ECB Women’s Cricket Super League general manager Jo Kirk said: “The variety of the organisations involved and the extent of collaborative work outlined within the ‘expressions of interest’ received is really exciting.

“We are now looking forward to seeing how each of the 28 plans develop through the invitation-to-tender window.

“Internal ECB assessments of responses and interviews of prospective hosts will take place during October and November.”

The final decision will be made in December.