The Hundred — England's 100-Ball Cricket Format Explained
The Hundred is England's franchise cricket competition where each innings is exactly 100 balls. Learn how it differs from T20, its unique rules, and the eight teams that compete.
The Hundred is a cricket competition created by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Launched in 2021, it uses a unique 100-ball-per-side format — each team faces exactly 100 balls (not 20 overs). It was designed to attract new audiences, is broadcast on the BBC (bringing cricket back to free-to-air UK television), and features eight city-based franchises playing men's and women's competitions simultaneously.
Key Rules — How The Hundred Differs from T20
| Feature | T20 Cricket | The Hundred |
|---|---|---|
| Innings length | 20 overs (120 balls) | 100 balls (no 'overs') |
| Ball groupings | 6 balls per over | 5 balls or 10 balls per 'set' |
| Bowling unit | 1 over = 6 balls | Bowlers deliver sets of 5 or 10 consecutive balls |
| Fielding restrictions | 6-over powerplay + limits after | First 25 balls = powerplay; 2 fielders outside circle |
| Strategic timeout | Not standard in ICC T20I | 2-minute timeouts per team per innings |
| Substitutes | Standard | Impact sub allowed mid-innings |
How the Bowling Works
Instead of overs, bowlers in The Hundred deliver sets of either 5 or 10 consecutive balls from the same end. The captain signals the set length before each bowling group. A bowler may bowl a maximum of 20 balls per innings (one fifth of the total). The '5 or 10' grouping gives captains flexibility — a bowler bowling 10 straight balls builds a rhythm; two groups of 5 from different ends can unsettle a batter who has just settled in.
The Eight Franchises
- London Spirit (Lord's)
- Oval Invincibles (The Oval)
- Manchester Originals (Emirates Old Trafford)
- Trent Rockets (Trent Bridge)
- Northern Superchargers (Headingley)
- Welsh Fire (Sophia Gardens, Cardiff)
- Southern Brave (The Ageas Bowl, Southampton)
- Birmingham Phoenix (Edgbaston)
Men's and Women's Competition Together
One of The Hundred's defining features is its commitment to gender equality: every men's match is paired with a women's match at the same venue on the same day (a 'double header'). Women's players are paid match fees, and the women's competition receives equal broadcast coverage on the BBC. This model has been cited as a template for other cricket competitions.
The Hundred 2021 Inaugural Champions
Southern Brave won the inaugural men's edition of The Hundred in 2021; Oval Invincibles won the women's title. The competition has since developed multiple champions: Oval Invincibles went on to win the men's title in 2023, 2024, and 2025 (three consecutive titles); in the women's, Southern Brave won 2023, London Spirit 2024, and Northern Superchargers 2025. The double-headers (men's and women's at the same venue) have attracted strong BBC viewership and large crowds for women's cricket.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Hundred part of the IPL or the same as the BBL?
No. The Hundred is a separate, ECB-run competition for English and Welsh city franchises. It is not affiliated with the IPL (Indian Premier League), BBL (Big Bash League), or any other league — it operates entirely independently under its own ruleset.
Can international players play in The Hundred?
Yes. Each team can recruit overseas players in a draft process. Top international players from Australia, West Indies, Pakistan, and other nations regularly participate. However, the player pool is restricted by international windows — players needed for national tours cannot play.
Is 100 balls much shorter than a T20 innings?
A T20 innings uses 120 balls (20 overs of 6). The Hundred uses 100 balls — so it is 20 balls (roughly 3–4 minutes of bowling) shorter. In practice, an innings takes slightly less time than a T20 innings, making the overall match about 20–25 minutes shorter than a T20 match.