The Hundred — Cricket's Most Controversial Format

What Is It?

The Hundred is a franchise cricket competition launched by the ECB in 2021. Each innings consists of 100 balls instead of the traditional overs. Bowlers bowl in sets of 5 or 10 balls (from either end), and the team scoring more runs from their 100 balls wins.

Why Was It Created?

The ECB designed The Hundred to attract a 'new audience' — people who had never watched cricket before. They argued that the over system was confusing for newcomers and that a simpler, shorter format would lower the barrier to entry.

The competition featured new team names (not associated with counties), a heavy marketing push, and was broadcast on free-to-air television in the UK.

The Backlash

The Hundred faced intense criticism from existing cricket fans:

• The over system is not confusing — it's cricket's fundamental structure
• 100 balls is essentially just a T20 with a different counting system
• It undermined the county game by cannibalizing its schedule
• The new terminology ('eliminator ball' instead of 'last ball') was seen as patronizing
• Existing fans felt alienated in pursuit of a hypothetical new audience
• Players were essentially told to participate — contracts with the ECB limited their ability to refuse

Mixed Results

Commercially, The Hundred has had some success — attendance figures were reasonable and the women's competition received welcome exposure. However, TV viewership has been inconsistent, and many cricket purists continue to reject the format.

The debate about whether The Hundred is a positive innovation or a misguided gimmick continues.