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| The Hundred | |
|---|---|
| Name | The Hundred |
| Sport | Cricket |
| Country | England and Wales |
| Administrator | England and Wales Cricket Board |
| Established | 2019 (competition announced), first season 2021 |
| Format | 100-ball cricket |
| Participants | 8 city-based teams |
| Website | ECB |
The Hundred is a professional 100-ball cricket competition in England and Wales administered by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Conceived during the late 2010s, it launched its inaugural season in 2021 with men's and women's tournaments running concurrently in a franchise-based, city-centred model. The competition sought to attract new audiences by simplifying scoring and shortening match length, positioning itself alongside existing formats like the County Championship, One-Day Cup, and Twenty20 Cup.
The format emerged from proposals within the England and Wales Cricket Board that included contributions from figures linked to MCC, Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation, and county stakeholders such as Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Surrey County Cricket Club, and Lancashire County Cricket Club. After public consultations involving representatives from ECB and broadcasting partners like BBC and Sky Sports, the board approved a franchise model inspired by Indian Premier League and Big Bash League structures. The eight-city franchises drew on brand strategies similar to Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in franchise cricket, while responding to criticism from traditionalists associated with Lord's and historical fixtures like the Roses Match. The inaugural competition took place amid scheduling negotiations with international bodies like the International Cricket Council and player release discussions involving England cricket team management.
Matches consist of 100 legal deliveries per side, divided into sets of 10 balls or configurable 5/10-ball blocks, with allowances for tactical time-outs and powerplays influenced by innovations from Twenty20 Cup and white-ball cricket regulations. Each bowling change can deliver either five or ten consecutive balls, a concept adapted by event designers with input from coaches linked to England Lions and franchise captains formerly associated with Sussex Sharks and Hampshire Hawks. Fielding restrictions and strategic substitutions echo mechanisms used in competitions such as Indian Premier League and Big Bash League, while disciplinary codes align with statutes overseen by the MCC Laws of Cricket committee and match officials appointed through channels like International Cricket Council accreditation.
The eight teams are city-branded franchises located in metropolitan centres that include venues historically used by county cricket sides: principal grounds such as Lord's, The Oval, Old Trafford, Edgbaston, Headingley, Sophia Gardens, Trent Bridge, and Rose Bowl. Franchises drew ownership and commercial backing from entities tied to regional brands and investors with links to organisations like Manchester Originals and Birmingham Phoenix across civic partnerships with local authorities such as Manchester City Council and Birmingham City Council. Several venues have hosted international fixtures including Test matches and One Day Internationals, and were selected for their capacity, transport links, and histories with clubs like Middlesex County Cricket Club and Surrey County Cricket Club.
Early seasons featured marquee performances from players with ties to England cricket team, Australia national cricket team, West Indies cricket team, and South Africa national cricket team. The first season's fixtures coincided with tours involving squads from India national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team, affecting player availability due to international commitments and leading to discussions with bodies such as the International Cricket Council and national boards. Finals days at selected venues produced packed stadia and narratives recalling historic finals at Lord's and Edgbaston, while player awards referenced achievements comparable to accolades like the Wisden Cricketers of the Year.
Broadcast rights were negotiated with major broadcasters including Sky Sports and public service outlets such as the BBC. Coverage models combined live television, streaming platforms run by rights-holders, and social-media content strategies paralleling campaigns used by franchises in Indian Premier League and Big Bash League. Commentators and pundits drawn from lists of former internationals associated with ECB coaching staff and ex-players from Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa contributed to analysis, while digital highlights and clips were distributed through channels similar to those managed by ICC and international broadcasters.
The competition provoked debate across institutions like MCC and supporters' groups from incumbents such as Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. Advocates pointed to audience growth metrics reported by broadcasters and participation initiatives coordinated with bodies like Chance to Shine and county development programs, while critics—some linked to historic county clubs and commentators associated with Wisden—argued it risked undermining established formats. Commercially, sponsorship arrangements mirrored those in Indian Premier League and attracted corporate partners from sectors that include travel, finance, and retail, stimulating local hospitality sectors in host cities.
Statistical records tracked by official scorers and databases referenced by organisations such as ESPNcricinfo and Opta Sports include most runs, highest individual score, best bowling figures, most wickets in a season, and strike rates influenced by innovations in white-ball tactics seen in Twenty20 Cup cricket. Franchise and player records are maintained separately for men's and women's tournaments, with milestones often compared to historical benchmarks set in competitions like the One-Day Cup and international limited-overs fixtures. Annual statistical reviews have been published by media partners and archived within resources connected to England and Wales Cricket Board.
Category:Cricket competitions in England and Wales