The Hundred — Cricket's Newest Format Explained
A complete guide to The Hundred — England and Wales' 100-ball cricket competition, its eight teams, rules, and controversy in the cricket world.
The Hundred is a professional cricket competition in England and Wales using a unique 100-ball format, launched in 2021 after a COVID-19 delay from 2020. Created by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), The Hundred features eight city-based franchises and is designed to attract new audiences — particularly families and viewers unfamiliar with cricket — through its shorter format and simplified presentation.
The 100-Ball Format
Each innings consists of 100 deliveries (not overs). Bowlers can bowl in blocks of 5 or 10 consecutive deliveries. After each set of 5 deliveries from one end, the team can continue from the same end or switch. The bowling side must complete their innings in a fixed time. This format is designed to make cricket more accessible — the innings is clearly finite and the match fits within a 2.5-hour broadcast window.
The Eight Teams
- London Spirit — Lord's Cricket Ground
- Oval Invincibles — The Oval
- Manchester Originals — Old Trafford
- Birmingham Phoenix — Edgbaston
- Northern Superchargers — Headingley
- Welsh Fire — Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
- Trent Rockets — Trent Bridge, Nottingham
- Southern Brave — The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Controversy and Criticism
The Hundred was controversial from its announcement. County cricket supporters argued it marginalised the 18 county clubs by creating entirely new city-based brands. Traditional cricket fans criticised the 100-ball format as gimmicky and unnecessary when T20 already existed. Some players questioned whether its scheduling threatened county cricket's already compressed calendar. The ECB defended The Hundred as vital for audience development and commercial sustainability.
Women's Hundred
Each men's Hundred game is paired with a women's Hundred match, giving women's cricket equal billing on major grounds. The women's competition has been widely praised for significantly raising the profile of women's cricket in England, with large crowds attending the double-header events at venues like Lord's and Edgbaston.
Frequently asked questions
How is The Hundred different from T20?
The Hundred uses 100 balls per innings instead of 120 (20 overs of 6). Bowlers deliver in sets of 5 or 10 from one end rather than in traditional overs. The format makes matches slightly shorter and gives coaches more flexible bowling deployment.
When is The Hundred played?
The Hundred runs in late July and August in England, fitting into the English summer cricket calendar after the first half of the County Championship season and overlapping with the T20 Blast.