Over the last decade or so there has been a concerted effort to attract a new generation of cricket fans in England and Wales. The latest attempt is a new format of the game that was introduced in 2021 – The Hundred.
This limited overs version of cricket has been compared to T20, but there are many differences between the two – certainly enough to justify them both existing. We thought we would run through how each of these competitions work and some of the key differences between the two.
Twenty20 (T20)
The T20 format was a new concept when it was introduced in 2003, and the public took to it. It was a newer, faster version of cricket, with more big hits and excitement.
In T20 cricket, each team has an innings of 20 overs in which they have to score the most runs. Every bowler can bowl a maximum of 4 overs, and if they bowl a no-ball, it will cost them one run and the batsman gets a ‘free hit’ on the next delivery – meaning that they can’t be given out caught, LBW or bowled.
During the first six overs, a maximum of two players can be outside the 30-yard circle around the middle of the pitch. This is known as the Powerplay and it encourages the batting team to play more expansive shots early in the innings.
There is also a limit on time to prevent slow play – if the fielding team fails to start bowling their final over within 75 minutes, the other team are awarded 6 runs for every whole over bowled after that point.
Now known as the T20 Blast, the competition between the county sides in England and Wales has become incredibly popular with fans. Finals Day, which usually takes place at Edgbaston, is a raucous affair as a sell-out crowd witnesses two semi-finals and a final to see the winners get crowned.
The Hundred
The Hundred was created in an attempt to recreate the success of the IPL in India. It features city-based teams, rather than the traditional county teams, which meant creating 8 brand new teams. The idea was to keep the thrills and speed of T20 cricket, but in a completely new format.
The Hundred is so-called because each innings lasts a maximum of 100 balls. A bowler can bowl 5 or 10 balls at a time, and a maximum of 20 throughout the innings. They change ends after every 10 balls.
The Powerplay is the same as in T20, but lasts for 25 balls, no-balls result in two runs to the opposition and a free hit, and if you are slow to bowl the overs, the bowling team is penalised by having fewer fielders permitted outside the inner ring.
Another great thing about The Hundred is that every match is a double-bill with women’s teams and men’s teams each playing a match after each other – this has been great to increase interest in the women’s game.
As things stand, there is no international cricket version of The Hundred, in fact the only place in the world where you can see 100-ball cricket is in the UK.
What is special about T20 and The Hundred?
The big appeal of T20 and The Hundred is how quick and action packed these matches are. Cricket has long suffered from the (misguided) reputation of being slow and boring, but the T20 tournament started to change how the sport was perceived. The sport is reaching people that would never have gone to watch cricket 15 years ago.
Going to a T20 or Hundred match is now seen as a day out. You can enjoy drinks and food, plus plenty of extra entertainment like live music and DJ sets. The atmosphere when these games are played is unlike what many expect from live cricket – it’s fun, boisterous and exhilarating.
How to get tickets to T20 and The Hundred fixtures
Tickets for these fixtures can be purchased from the host cricket ground, but if you want something a bit extra at Emirates Old Trafford, you should consider tickets in The Sportsbreaks.com Terrace, where you’ll get a match ticket, access to our exclusive terrace, picnic food, a complimentary drink and even the option to reserve a comfy sofa to watch the game from.
If you are interested in watching short form cricket in this kind of luxury, call us now on 0333 2309115 or contact us.
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