The Hundred: Format, History and Key Facts

The Hundred is a franchise cricket competition played in England and Wales in which each side faces a maximum of one hundred balls. Created by the England and Wales Cricket Board, it was designed to attract new audiences, particularly families and younger fans, with a shorter and simpler game played in the summer holidays.

Origins

The ECB announced the concept in 2018 and the competition was originally planned to start in 2020. The coronavirus pandemic caused a one-year delay, and the first season took place in July and August 2021. The tournament was controversial before its launch, as it introduced a new format and new teams alongside the existing county structure, but it has remained a part of the English domestic calendar.

The format

Each team bats for one hundred balls. The innings is made up of sets of five balls, and a bowler delivers either five or ten consecutive balls before another bowler takes over. Each bowler may deliver a maximum of twenty balls in an innings, and the fielding restrictions apply for the first twenty-five balls. Teams can also take a strategic timeout during an innings. If a side is chasing and the match is level, a super over of five balls is used.

Teams

There are eight city-based teams, each of which has both a men’s and women’s side: Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets and Welsh Fire. They are based at established grounds such as Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, Headingley, the Kia Oval, Trent Bridge and Sophia Gardens.

Men’s and women’s competitions

The men’s and women’s tournaments are run side by side, often as double-headers in which both teams of a franchise play at the same venue on the same day. This arrangement has been credited with boosting the profile of women’s cricket in England, with equal billing and broadcast coverage.

Reception and impact

The Hundred has helped to bring new audiences to cricket and has provided opportunities for young English players alongside overseas stars. Supporters of the format have praised its pace, while critics have questioned the need for another format given the success of Twenty20. The competition continues to be developed by the ECB, including through changes to team ownership structures.