The Hundred Explained: England's 100-Ball Cricket Competition
The Hundred is a 100-ball per side cricket competition launched in England and Wales in 2021 by the ECB. Learn how the format works, the eight city-based teams, how it differs from T20, and the controversy over its effect on county cricket.
The Hundred is a professional cricket competition launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2021, featuring eight city-based franchises in a 100-ball per innings format. It was designed to attract a new, younger audience to cricket — particularly families and people unfamiliar with traditional cricket formats.
How the Format Works
Each innings in The Hundred consists of exactly 100 balls (rather than 20 overs). Bowlers bowl 5- or 10-consecutive-ball stints rather than 6-ball overs. The batting team has a 25-ball powerplay at the start of the innings. Unlike T20 where an over is 6 balls and overs must be completed, in The Hundred a bowler's stint is measured in balls (5 or 10) and the 'over' concept is absent. Each team bats for 100 balls; the team scoring more runs wins.
| Feature | T20 | The Hundred |
|---|---|---|
| Balls per innings | 120 (20 overs) | 100 balls |
| Bowling unit | 6-ball over | 5 or 10 consecutive balls |
| Powerplay | 6 overs (36 balls) | 25 balls |
| Max per bowler | 4 overs (24 balls) | 20 balls |
The Eight Teams
- Birmingham Phoenix
- London Spirit (Lord's)
- Manchester Originals
- Northern Superchargers (Leeds/Durham)
- Oval Invincibles (The Oval)
- Southern Brave (Southampton)
- Trent Rockets (Nottingham)
- Welsh Fire (Cardiff)
Success and Controversy
The Hundred drew large crowds in its first seasons, with the women's tournament attracting particularly strong attendances and TV audiences. Critics — primarily county cricket traditionalists and some former players — argued the competition: (1) cannibalises the Royal London One-Day Cup and T20 Blast, (2) confuses audiences with an arbitrary ball count, (3) has been imposed at the expense of domestic county cricket funding, and (4) was created to serve commercial interests rather than cricket development.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Hundred in cricket?
The Hundred is an ECB competition launched in 2021 featuring eight city-based teams playing 100 balls per innings (rather than T20's 120 balls). Bowlers bowl in 5 or 10 consecutive ball stints instead of 6-ball overs.
How is The Hundred different from T20 cricket?
The Hundred uses 100 balls per innings (T20 uses 120), has no 6-ball overs (bowlers bowl 5 or 10 consecutive balls), and has a 25-ball powerplay (T20 uses a 6-over/36-ball powerplay).
Which teams compete in The Hundred?
Eight teams compete: Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire.