The Hundred Format Explained: Rules, Sets and Strategy
A clear explanation of The Hundred, the 100-ball format launched in 2021: sets of balls, powerplay, strategic timeouts and how it differs from T20.
The Hundred is a short-form cricket competition created by the England and Wales Cricket Board and first played in 2021. Each team bats for a single innings of 100 balls, rather than the 120 balls of a standard Twenty20 match. The aim was to make matches shorter and simpler for new audiences while keeping the core of the game.
The basic structure
Each side faces 100 legal balls, and the team with the higher score wins. A match is made up of two innings, and one team chases the total set by the other. Both a men’s and a women’s competition are played, usually alongside each other at the same venues. The teams are based on cities or regions rather than traditional counties.
Sets of balls
In place of six-ball overs, the innings is divided into sets of five balls. A bowler delivers either five or ten consecutive balls from one end, and then the bowling switches to the other end. A bowler can bowl no more than 20 balls in an innings. The captain therefore has the flexibility to choose between a single set or a double set, depending on the match situation.
Powerplay
The first 25 balls of each innings are a powerplay. In that phase, only two fielders are allowed outside the inner circle. After the powerplay, up to five fielders may be outside the circle. The restriction is intended to favour batters early in the innings, since fielders must stand closer to the stumps.
Strategic timeout
The bowling side can call a strategic timeout of two and a half minutes during the opposition’s innings. It lets captains and coaches reassess their plans, change fielding positions or give instructions to bowlers. The timeout is part of the match structure and does not extend the match beyond the scheduled time.
Other rules
- A no-ball gives the batter a free hit, as in other shorter formats.
- Wides and no-balls add a run to the total, and the delivery is re-bowled.
- Teams are expected to complete their innings within a set timeframe, and there are penalties for slow rates.
- A match that ends level is decided by a tie-breaker, usually a short super over of five balls per side.
How it differs from T20
The main differences are the 100-ball innings, the five-ball sets and the shorter powerplay measured in balls rather than overs. Fielding rules, the importance of the batting powerplay and the basic scoring methods remain similar to T20. Scoring symbols are unchanged, but scorers must track balls rather than overs, and commentators typically describe progress as balls remaining.
Strategy
Because bowlers can bowl five or ten consecutive balls, matchups change quickly. Captains may keep a strong bowler for a key double set or split spells to avoid a particular batter. Batters generally try to score quickly from the first ball, although wickets in the powerplay can still change the balance of the game.
Reception and legacy
The competition has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters pointing to family-friendly crowds, free-to-air television coverage and equal billing for the women’s game, while critics questioned the need for a new format. Since 2021, it has become a regular part of the English summer.
Frequently asked questions
How many balls does each team face in The Hundred?
Each side faces 100 legal balls in a single innings.
How many balls can a bowler bowl?
A bowler delivers sets of five or ten consecutive balls and can bowl a maximum of 20 balls in an innings.
What is the powerplay in The Hundred?
The first 25 balls of an innings are a powerplay, during which only two fielders may stand outside the inner circle.