Is there a need for the Hundred?

Is there a need for “The Hundred” or is it just for TV and to line the ECB coffers?

Is there a need for “The Hundred” or is it just for TV and to line the ECB coffers?

With the announcement last week that “The Hundred” commencing in 2020 over a 5 week period will have a draft in October. The league will consist of eight city-based franchise teams, each of which will field both a men’s and women’s team. It is intended to run alongside the county-based t20 Blast for men and supersede the Women’s Super League. It takes only two & half hours with a maximum of 100 balls per side. Each team will have a £1.2million budget to recruit a squad of overseas and domestic players.

Is it really necessary to have another shortened game in the calendar?

Like many, I prefer 50 overs to 20/20.

What next? We currently have the best One Day side we ever had! What happens if we win the ICC Cricket World Cup?

As of next year the Royal London One Day Cup will be for the second eleven county teams, how would the current squad get enough practice for the forthcoming ICC Trophy & the next World Cup?

The ECB should look at the current format. As a member of Surrey we have had two away games in succession. Then we don’t play away for a month? It’s all done in blocks which seems crazy with September being allocated as Championship. Last summer we got away with it as we had a fantastic summer but surely we need to hold the shorter format then!

I hope it doesn’t happen but the Championship could be decided by Michael Fish’s weather report. I’m not saying expect a hurricane in September but who knows what could happen?

A lot of you remember the Gillette Cup & Benson & Hedges Cup. Surrey were lucky to be appearing in a lot of finals over those years, trying to get a ticket was extremely difficult unless a member!

The ECB should try and introduce a 50 over knock out comp and re introduce minor counties or better still a Sunday 50 over League and look at seasons in the cricket calendar in general!

I would love to hear your view?

All the best
Gary and friends…..