The Hundred - Just a shortened T20 or is it?
11th August 2021
The ECB announced a new tournament, the Hundred for 2020, then COVID intervened, and the launch delayed to 2021. With player picks, drafts and a franchise based operation as opposed county base, with women's and men's competitions. A lot of change, change initially the establishment seemed not so keen about.
After all, we introduced the T20 blast some time ago to generate interest, stimulate support and new crowds, and it has much of the same - a quick 120 delivery Bish, Bash, Bosh, players walking out to 'their tunes', music to accompany boundaries and wickets. It's all pretty much the same isn't it?
After all, we introduced the T20 blast some time ago to generate interest, stimulate support and new crowds, and it has much of the same - a quick 120 delivery Bish, Bash, Bosh, players walking out to 'their tunes', music to accompany boundaries and wickets. It's all pretty much the same isn't it?
Amongst all the hype, the games in the main have been genuinely exciting. Different tactics required, the possibility for bowlers to bowl two batches of five or different bowlers an end of five from the same end, a definite focus on the branding, DJ's spinning tunes and a focus on speed, big hits and pyrotechnics to accompany. You could suggest all of this exists with the T20, the difference being this tournament is played out between 8 franchise teams drawing on the best players from the counties and international stars - a bit like the Indian premier league.
Despite COVID restrictions causing some of the big overseas stars to withdraw, the teams can still boast some of the best players in world cricket, and harnessed with genuine enthusiasm and an upbeat approach from the broadcasters, the gig is drawing in support.
The crowds post covid have been amazing, a real filip for the women's game and some of the doubters may now be eating their words. It appears to have captured the imagination and with a significant number of younger people in the crowds, maybe, just maybe the ECB's gamble on the format may prove to be a winner. The final of the competition, still some two weeks away is already a sell out.
Importantly, the cricket, and the skills displayed has been awesome.
Importantly, the cricket, and the skills displayed has been awesome.