The Hundred, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) new format event, began on Wednesday. With some of the best players from across the world and a few regulation changes, the 100-ball format hopes to appeal to a larger audience.
The new competition will include eight city-based men’s and women’s teams, with each side playing nine league games before the elimination phase, with the final set taking place at Lord’s.
With numerous worldwide stars competing in this thrilling and action-packed format, the debut of the new format has created a stir across the world.
Let’s look at what makes The Hundred such a unique and exceptional competition on that point.
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At the Hundred, a galaxy of stars congregates.
Despite a few competitors withdrawing from the competition, The Hundred will include a diverse cast of celebrities. The Hundred is likely to feature a number of well-known international cricketers from both the men’s and women’s sports.
With cricketers from all over the world together under one roof, the competition is sure to draw some attention and turn into a true worldwide sensation.
The event will include players such as Ben Stokes, Devon Conway, and Eoin Morgan, to mention a few. In the meanwhile, the women’s teams will feature Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning, Lizelle Lee, and others from across the world.
With such high-profile guests on the show, the anticipation is palpable, not just among the audience but also among the players.
The new regulations will allow for a faster-paced version of cricket.
For someone who has studied the sport, the regulation changes in The Hundred are very basic and not overly complicated. Simply simply, each innings will have a hundred legal pitches. The conventional six-ball over has been abandoned, and bowlers can now bowl five or ten deliveries in a row, based on the captains’ selections. In addition, each bowler is limited to 20 deliveries every match.
For the first 25 pitches, the batting powerplay will be active, with two fielders allowed outside the circle. After every ten pitches, the batters’ ends will be switched.
After the powerplay, the bowling team will be given a two-and-a-half minute break at any point in the innings. The matches will be finished in two and a half hours due to the fast-paced style. Another rule change in The Hundred will see no balls cost the offending team two runs and a free hit.
In the event of a tie, instead of a Super Over, a “Super Five” will be held. If the Super Five is also deadlocked, the team with the greater point total at the end of the group stage advances.
The Hundred has a few peculiar regulations as well. While there will be no more than five fielders permitted on the leg side, the over rates must be carefully adhered to. A raging and high-octane competition may be on the cards with such unusual regulations that will benefit the batters throughout the game.
The Hundred has the potential to be the most important domestic event for women’s cricket.
Domestic competitions abound in men’s cricket, providing opportunities for both local and international players to flourish on the major stage. The IPL is perhaps the most prestigious of them all, with a billion cricket fans tuning in every day. When it comes to the top domestic competitions, though, women’s cricket still takes a second place.
The Hundred has the power to change everything. The men’s and women’s teams are promoted jointly and have the same branding. The tournament’s prize pool will likewise be split evenly. It’s worth noting that the wage ceiling for both men and women is still far from being equal.
However, due to the lack of standout domestic tournaments in the women’s game, The Hundred has an opportunity to become the premier tournament for the women’s game and provide a new platform for young players.
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Tarun