SOMERSET need to "focus on what we are about" and provide supporters with "cricket they want to watch" once The Hundred begins next summer, believes chief executive Andrew Cornish.

The Cooper Associates County Ground will not be one of the eight host venues in the men's 100-ball tournament, which will run alongside the existing 50-over competition from 2020.

The nearest host venue for The Hundred will be Cardiff, with the team based there set to be called Welsh Fire, in line with the ECB's aim of attracting new supporters in densely populated urban areas in order to grow the game.

Cornish admitted Taunton's successful staging of three World Cup games this month has increased frustrations that they have missed out on The Hundred but said: "That ship has sailed.

"There is no point in carrying around frustrations you can’t do anything about.

"Longer term, would we have aspirations about hosting it if it was successful? Of course we would. But for now it is not an option."

But could it ever be an option, if the team with which Somerset (and Gloucestershire) are affiliated is called Welsh Fire?

"A team based in Cardiff being called Welsh Fire is probably the right thing," Cornish said.

"Research here has shown that The Hundred based in Cardiff has little interest to supporters in Somerset and the South West."

That is perhaps unsurprising, given the strength of the county's support across this region, but there are concerns among Somerset supporters - and fans of the county game generally - about the impact of The Hundred on the 50-over competition, of which Somerset are the new holders.

Under the proposed new schedule, the 50-over tournament will become a "development competition", with the cream of the white ball crop playing in the new tournament.

"We need to focus on what we are about," Cornish said.

"It is important that The Hundred works for cricket, that T20 doesn’t suffer because of it – that is very important to Somerset County Cricket Club – and that the 50-over competition is still a viable competition.

"It should remain a really important trophy to win.

"We will lose a few players to The Hundred but we have an academy of immensely talented young cricketers.

"Our supporters like to see good cricket and young men and women coming through from this region to represent Somerset.

"The important thing for me is that we provide people in the South West and Somerset with cricket they want to watch.

"I see that as ensuring the County Championship is played at the right time of year, that T20 isn’t degraded by the Hundred and that the 50-over competition remains viable, entertaining and affordable.

"It is also vital to develop women’s cricket and I think that is another thing we will see develop, particularly here.

"There is only one Ashes Test every four years and we’ve got it [in Taunton from July 18] – we need to build on that legacy."