ECB Explained: England's Cricket Board, The Hundred & County Structure
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) governs cricket in England and Wales, managing 18 county clubs, The Hundred franchise competition, and the England men's and women's teams.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the governing body for cricket in England and Wales, founded in 1997 by merging the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB), National Cricket Association, and Cricket Council. It oversees the England men's, women's, and disability teams, plus the full domestic structure.
County Cricket Structure
England's domestic cricket structure consists of 18 first-class counties that compete in the County Championship (Divisions One and Two), Vitality Blast (T20), and Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Counties are the lifeblood of English cricket, producing all England players.
The Hundred
The Hundred, launched in 2021, is the ECB's franchise cricket competition designed to attract new audiences. Eight teams (men's and women's) play 100-ball matches in a condensed summer slot. The competition has been commercially successful but controversial among traditionalists.
England's Cricketing History
England invented the sport and have played Test cricket since 1877. They have won the Ashes 32 times, two ODI World Cups (1987 — unofficial, 2019 — official), and three ICC events including the 2022 T20 World Cup. The women's team has won 5 ODI World Cups.
- 18 first-class counties including Yorkshire, Lancashire, Surrey, Kent, Middlesex
- The Hundred: 8 franchise teams playing 100-ball cricket (from 2021)
- England men: 2019 ODI World Cup winners, 2022 T20 World Cup winners
- Headquarters: Lord's Cricket Ground, London
Frequently asked questions
When was the ECB founded?
The ECB was founded in 1997, merging the Test and County Cricket Board, National Cricket Association, and Cricket Council into a single governing body for England and Wales.
What is The Hundred cricket competition?
The Hundred is the ECB's franchise T20-style competition launched in 2021, featuring 8 teams playing 100-ball matches. It was created to attract new audiences to cricket in England and Wales.