Sport Writer Sophie Utteridge believes that a successful first season of the Hundred is crucial to attract cricketing stars to participate in the future
With the international calendar already jam-packed and underway, more overseas players are dropping out of the Hundred in favour of focusing on their preparation for upcoming international duty. David Warner, Marcus Stoinis and Sophie Devine are just a few of the names of those international cricketers who have decided to withdraw from the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) new competition. Whilst it was expected that COVID-19 restrictions would have an impact on player availability, international clashes added late to the cricket calendar have led to further losses in both the women’s and men’s tournaments as concerns grow amongst fans about the Hundred’s longevity in a highly competitive global cricketing programme.
The cricketing calendar is already a busy schedule with One Day competitions, T20 tournaments and a hectic international scene all needing to be fitted in over the year. The new Hundred competition starting this summer in the UK is another commitment for a relatively small pool of top quality players who have many other undertakings around the world.
There is concern that the explosive kick-start that the new competition needs will in fact be anything but
For the Hundred’s first year, the promise of seeing international stars from across the globe perform is one of the principle selling points of the competition. The need to impress, entertain and win over cricket fans, especially for a new and unfamiliar format, is vital if the Hundred is to become a highlight of the cricketing year. With a significant number of international stars now dropping out, there is concern that the explosive kick-start that the new competition needs will in fact be anything but. Despite this, the ECB has sought to reassure fans that the Hundred will still be as thrilling as promised. ‘The realities of COVID mean there remain practicalities that are difficult for some overseas players to overcome,’ an ECB spokesperson said. However, the ECB are confident that the competition will still impress.
However, it does call back into question if the cricketing world really does have room for another tournament like the Hundred. With the IPL and the Australian Big Bash as the most established domestic competitions, attracting larger numbers of international players and fans, the Hundred will need to have an extraordinarily successful first year if there is any chance of it becoming a cricketing staple. The world’s best players are sought after everywhere with huge financial incentives on offer, not to mention international duty which comes before all other competitions. This year, the Hundred has fallen prey to clashes with Australia’s upcoming tour of the West Indies and Bangladesh, losing seven of the nine Australians that had been contracted to play in the men’s competition. The women’s competition has also suffered losses with Rachael Haynes and Jess Jonassen pulling out to prepare for Australia’s series against India, and Birmingham Phoenix’s captain Sophie Devine electing to instead spend time with her family. More players are expected to withdraw for the same reason in the coming weeks.
The Hundred could be left behind in favour of more popular and well-known competitions
Due to COVID-19 regulations, all players must remain in a ‘bubble’ whilst on tours and competing in tournaments and as many players have already gone long periods without seeing their families during international competitions this year, it is completely understandable that players are choosing to spend time with their families before the next round of international tours begin. As a new competition without history, identity or credibility, it is not surprising that it is the Hundred competition which players are choosing to opt out of. It raises concerns as to whether the calendar can accommodate another domestic competition, even without COVID in the mix. If not, it may force players to be selective over what tournaments they appear in which, in turn, may mean the Hundred could be left behind in favour of more popular and well-known competitions. While it is too soon to tell if this will be the case, the rate of player drop outs to date is not a good sign.
The Hundred is set to be the highlight of the summer. With international stars, not to mention home-grown players, still looking forward to playing in the new format, the tournament should be as thrilling as it has been promised to be. However, it cannot be overlooked that the loss of some major cricketing stars will be a blow to the new competition. The ECB must hope that the season is a proven success if the Hundred is to embed itself formally in the international cricketing calendar as a competition the best players want to compete in. An exciting first season is essential to convince those who are sceptical of the format that the Hundred is worth playing.
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