The six-ball over will be abandoned for the first time domestically in 72 years as part of the controversial new Hundred competition that has been approved by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The ECB rubber-stamped the fast-paced format, subject to county approval, in which deliveries are bowled in clutches of 10. A 10-ball "over" would be from one end - five balls by one bowler, then five by another; or all 10 by one.
Officials said they had been working with the MCC to obtain the consent over the break in tradition on over rules. England used an eight-ball-over format in 1939 as part of a two-year experiment ended by World War 2.
Eight-ball overs were last used at Test level in 1978-79 in Australia and New Zealand, but the six-ball format has been in place in England since 1946. The decision comes after a series of pilot matches.
The idea is to cut down on the time taken changing ends from 19 switches in a Twenty20 match to 10 in the Hundred. It is hoped the Hundred will be a much quicker game than Twenty20, which the ECB believes will attract a new audience.
The format, likely to be introduced in 2020, is part of a new ECB five-year strategy. A handful of counties are understood to be in opposition, but the ECB insists it will broaden the game's appeal.
The full strategy for 2020-24 will be unveiled in January, and is expected to include a revamp of cricket at Minor Counties level.
The 100-ball format was proposed in April as a way to attract new audiences, largely by ensuring it is shown on terrestrial television.
The ECB board has also agreed a structure for the county competitions. The County Championship will feature a 10-team Division One from 2020. Overseas players will not be allowed to play in the One-Day Cup, which will run alongside the Hundred. David Leatherdale, the Professional Cricketers' Association CE, said the strategy was being negotiated...