The Hundred is the newest cricket league in England. It was started by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2021. Even though it is still new, it has already become one of the most talked-about cricket tournaments in the world.
The biggest reason people notice The Hundred is because it is not a Twenty20 (T20) competition. Instead, it has a completely new format where each innings is only 100 balls long.
That is the main difference between The Hundred and other cricket leagues.
The competition has both men’s and women’s tournaments. Eight city-based teams take part in each one.
Matches are often held on the same day at the same ground. This means that fans who buy one ticket can watch both the men’s and women’s matches.
The ECB says The Hundred is made to be faster, simpler, and more exciting. They want to bring in new fans, especially people who do not watch cricket regularly or find cricket rules hard to understand.
But is The Hundred better than other T20 leagues? Or does it have some weak points? Let’s explore.
How The Hundred Works
In The Hundred, each team faces 100 balls in an innings. The team that scores the most runs wins.
Bowlers can bowl either 5 or 10 balls in a row. Each bowler can bowl a maximum of 20 balls in a match.
The ends are switched after every 10 balls. This is different from other formats where an over has 6 balls and the ends are switched after each over.
The first 25 balls of the innings are a powerplay. Only two fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle during this time. This gives batters a chance to score fast at the start.
Each team can take one strategic timeout of two and a half minutes during their batting innings. During this break, the coach can come onto the field and give advice to the players. This is similar to the IPL’s timeout rule but a bit shorter.
If the scores are tied in a group stage match, both teams get one point. If it’s a knockout match, then a Super Five is played. In a Super Five, each team faces 5 balls.
If the scores are still tied after that, another Super Five is played. If there is still no winner, then the team that finished higher in the group stage goes through. This way, the match stays exciting but does not drag on too long.
Teams in The Hundred
There are eight teams in the men’s competition and eight in the women’s competition:
- Birmingham Phoenix – Edgbaston, Birmingham
- London Spirit – Lord’s, London
- Manchester Originals – Old Trafford, Manchester
- Northern Superchargers – Headingley, Leeds
- Oval Invincibles – The Oval, London
- Southern Brave – Rose Bowl, Southampton
- Trent Rockets – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
- Welsh Fire – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Each team has 15 players. A maximum of four overseas players are allowed in the squad. Every team must have at least one England international player.
Players are chosen through a draft system, which is shown live on TV and streamed online. Fans love watching the draft to see which famous player joins their favourite team.
For example:
- Jos Buttler has played for Manchester Originals.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt has played for Trent Rockets.
- Kagiso Rabada has played for Manchester Originals.
Big-name players help bring big crowds to the stadiums.
Men’s and Women’s Matches on the Same Day
One of the most unique things about The Hundred is that men’s and women’s games are played on the same day and at the same venue.
If you buy a ticket, you can watch both matches without paying extra.
This has been a huge boost for women’s cricket in England. Fans who come to watch the men’s match often arrive early to see the women’s game too. This helps more people get interested in women’s cricket.
The ECB has also made prize money equal for both tournaments. In 2022, both the men’s and women’s winners got £150,000. The runners-up in both competitions got £75,000.
Equal prize money is rare in cricket and shows the ECB’s strong support for gender equality.
Women’s cricket in England has grown quickly since The Hundred began. In 2023, the women’s final had more than 21,000 people in the stadium – a record for a domestic women’s match in England.
Players like Sophie Ecclestone, Tammy Beaumont, and Anya Shrubsole have become more popular. Young girls now have more cricket role models to look up to.
What Makes The Hundred Different from Other T20 Leagues
The Hundred stands out in several ways:
1. Shorter Format
T20 matches have 120 balls in each innings. The Hundred has only 100 balls, so matches finish faster – in about 2.5 hours, which is close to the length of a football match. This appeals to fans who prefer shorter games.
2. Flexible Bowling
Bowlers can bowl 5 or 10 balls in a row, which is not allowed in other leagues. This lets captains use their top bowlers for longer spells when needed. In 2022, Trent Rockets used Rashid Khan for 10 straight balls in a key moment.
3. Change of Ends after 10 Balls
In most formats, ends are switched after every over (6 balls). In The Hundred, ends are switched after 10 balls, which saves time and keeps the game moving.
4. Two Runs for Wides and No Balls
In most formats, a wide or no ball gives 1 run. In The Hundred, it gives 2 runs, which makes it even more important for bowlers to avoid mistakes.
5. Equal Men’s and Women’s Focus
No other major cricket league regularly schedules men’s and women’s matches together at the same venue with one ticket for both. This gives equal attention and sponsor exposure to both competitions.
6. Draft System
Unlike the IPL (which has auctions) or the Big Bash (which allows direct signings), The Hundred uses a live public draft. Fans enjoy watching surprise picks. In 2023, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes went to Northern Superchargers, which was a big draft moment.
Why The Hundred Could Be Better Than Other Leagues
The Hundred has several strengths that could make it more appealing than other T20 leagues:
1. Shorter Matches Attract New Fans
Many people today have less time for long games. The Hundred’s 150-minute matches are easy to watch for casual fans and families. In 2022, more than 500,000 fans attended games in person, with many watching cricket for the first time.
2. Simpler Rules for New Viewers
The rules are easy to follow – 100 balls to score as many runs as possible. There’s no complicated over-counting. This makes it perfect for newcomers.
3. Boost for Women’s Cricket
Women’s matches get prime timings, good crowds, and live TV coverage. In 2023, Sky Sports reported record TV audiences for women’s games.
4. City-Based Teams
City names are easier to market and connect with than county names. This has worked well for IPL and Big Bash, and it works here too.
5. Family-Friendly Atmosphere
Tickets are affordable, matches are held in school holidays, and there’s music, games, and food stalls – making it more like a festival.
6. Innovation in Rules
Ideas like flexible bowling spells and two runs for wides/no balls keep the game fresh and exciting.
ALSO READ Indian IPL Owners Invest Big in The Hundred 2025; Which IPL Teams Will Play in The Hundred 2025?
Why The Hundred Could Be Worse Than Other Leagues
The Hundred also has some weaknesses:
1. Limited to England
It is played only in England, so it doesn’t have the same worldwide following as the IPL.
2. Overlaps with Other Competitions
3. Revenue Concerns
The schedule clashes with other leagues. In 2023, some South African players skipped The Hundred to play in their local league.
Reports suggest The Hundred is not yet very profitable. Some county clubs think it takes resources away from other competitions.
4. Alienating Traditional Fans
Some cricket fans prefer Tests or classic T20. They see The Hundred as unnecessary and too focused on entertainment.
5. Player Workload
The short season has many back-to-back matches, plus travel between venues, which can be tiring.
Impact on Women’s Cricket
The Hundred has done more for women’s cricket in England than any other tournament. Before it started, women’s domestic cricket had small crowds and little TV coverage.
Now, women’s matches are live on Sky Sports and BBC. In 2022, more than 271,000 fans came to watch women’s games.
School programs linked to The Hundred have encouraged more girls to play cricket. Top players like Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Smriti Mandhana inspire young fans.
Overseas stars from Australia, South Africa, and India raise the level of competition. Equal prize money sends a strong message that women’s cricket is equally valuable.
Fan Engagement and Marketing
The ECB uses social media, music, and celebrities to promote The Hundred. DJs play music between sets of balls, and Marvel Comics has even made superhero versions of the team mascots.
Fans can use interactive apps to vote for “Player of the Match” and other moments. In 2023, The Hundred’s TikTok page had over 200 million video views, showing its success with younger audiences.
Criticism from Players and Experts
Some players, like Virat Kohli, believe cricket doesn’t need another new format. They think T20 is already short and exciting enough.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan likes the fresh ideas but warns that it should not replace existing competitions.
Some county clubs worry that The Hundred takes attention and players away from the County Championship. Others feel it’s too focused on England and not enough on promoting cricket globally.
The Future of The Hundred
The ECB is thinking about changes. One idea is to have two divisions with promotion and relegation to make it more competitive.
They are also considering expanding the women’s competition with more teams. This would give more players chances and attract more fans.
To grow internationally, The Hundred may need to work with other cricket boards, invite more overseas players, or host some matches outside England.
ALSO READ Five Indian Women Cricketers to play in The Hundred
