The Hundred: England's 100-Ball Cricket Revolution
A complete guide to The Hundred — England and Wales Cricket Board's 100-ball franchise tournament launched in 2021, featuring eight city-based teams and designed to attract new cricket audiences.
The Hundred is a professional cricket competition created by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and launched in 2021. It features eight city-based franchise teams — each 100-ball innings — designed to be faster and more accessible than traditional T20 cricket. The competition was created to attract new, younger audiences to cricket in England and Wales and has generated both widespread enthusiasm and significant controversy within the cricket community.
How The Hundred Works
Each innings in The Hundred is 100 balls — not 120 as in T20. Bowlers bowl either five or ten consecutive balls per stint rather than the traditional six-ball over. A change of ends happens every ten balls. Teams consist of five overseas players and the competition runs over approximately a month in July and August each year. Both men's and women's competitions run simultaneously, attracting major crowds to the same venues.
Eight Franchise Teams
- Oval Invincibles (London, The Oval)
- London Spirit (Lord's Cricket Ground)
- Manchester Originals (Emirates Old Trafford)
- Northern Superchargers (Headingley, Leeds)
- Birmingham Phoenix (Edgbaston)
- Welsh Fire (Sophia Gardens, Cardiff)
- Southern Brave (The Ageas Bowl, Southampton)
- Trent Rockets (Trent Bridge, Nottingham)
Controversy and the County Game
The Hundred divided opinion sharply in English cricket. Traditional supporters and county clubs argued it undermined the established county cricket structure and compromised the red-ball game. The ECB insisted the additional revenue would be distributed to counties and invested in grassroots cricket. The debate over the format's long-term impact on English cricket continues.
Broadcast and Global Appeal
The Hundred attracted high-profile global players and was broadcast on the BBC — bringing free-to-air cricket back to England for the first time in years. The simultaneous men's and women's fixtures at the same venues became a landmark for gender equity in sports broadcasting. Viewing figures and attendances have been strong, suggesting the format has found an audience beyond traditional cricket fans.
Frequently asked questions
How many balls are in a The Hundred innings?
Each innings in The Hundred consists of exactly 100 balls — shorter than T20's 120 balls — bowled in sets of five or ten by each bowler.
When did The Hundred start?
The Hundred launched in 2021, having been delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The first match was played at The Oval in July 2021.
Why is The Hundred controversial?
The Hundred is controversial because many in English cricket believe it undermines the county cricket structure and diverts resources from the traditional game. Others support it as a way to attract new cricket audiences.