The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly entered into discussions about the possibility of inviting an American-based team to compete in the inaugral English Premier League (EPL) in 2010.

The Daily Telegraph claims that Durham chair, Clive Leach, has travelled to New York for exploratory and informal talks with Sports Capital Partners (SCP) Worldwide about the prospect of a US franchise joining the EPL. SCP Worldwide already owns Major League Soccer outfit Real Salt Lake, as well as the ice hockey franchise St. Louis Blues.

Earlier this year, the ECB announced plans to introduce new Twenty20 competitions, including the EPL, which will feature all 18 first-class county sides, plus two overseas teams; one of which will be a side fielded by the American billionaire, Sir Allen Stanford.