The Hundred
Earlier this year, I promised myself that I would attend one of the Hundred fixtures. Having allowed this tournament to pass me by since its inception back in 2021, but having read a great deal of opinion from various pundits as to its pros and cons, and also offered my tuppence worth, both when asked and when not, it was time to take the plunge and attend a match. I left it late – the finals were the only games remaining, so the finals it was!
First up, a Sunday. Fine, but surely a Saturday would be better for the paying public? On a Saturday, most of those attending would not have work the next day and would be way more relaxed about getting home! Furthermore, they would be far more willing to have that extra pint / glass of wine and stay for the presentations, if they know they aren’t getting up at 6am the following morning. It doesn’t matter, of course, but in my experience, a crowd on a Saturday tends to have a different energy to a crowd on a Sunday. More excitable, shall we say, on a Saturday.
The journey up to London had that Sunday feel. There was still an excitement, especially once I boarded the Jubilee line to St. John’s Wood, but still a calmness.
Those travelling differed enormously from the typical Lord’s attendees of a Test Match. Very, very few jackets and ties. Masses of children. Masses of women. Masses of families.
The women’s match started at 2.15pm: The Trent Rockets versus The Sunrisers Leeds. Lord’s was pretty full. There were a few empty seats, but it was an excellent turnout. The match, however, wasn’t great. The SunRisers were all out for a disappointing 91 with 9 balls to spare, which the Trent Rockets then knocked off for the loss of only 2 wickets and from 54 balls. Not the spectacle we’d hoped to see.
This early finish resulted in a long interval before the men’s match: The Trent Rockets versus The Manchester Super Giants. This time did allow the spectators to take in and enjoy the surroundings of one of the most iconic sports stadiums in the world. Only briefly however, as those in charge felt it necessary to ‘treat’ us to a set by singer, song writer, Ella Eyre. She is not an artist I know, but she certainly gave it her all and the crowd showed their appreciation.
Team introductions and interviews followed, with the match eventually getting underway on time at 6pm. The cricket was excellent with two of England’s finest, Atkinson and Tongue bowling to Duckett. Have no doubts, this was short format cricket of the highest class. It was to be Manchester’s night. They edged home with 2 balls to spare – Kiwi, Tim Seifert playing a gem of an innings, scoring 72 from 38 balls.
The crowd were gripped. It did always look as if Manchester had it under control, but the inevitable wobble came, taking it right down to the wire.
So, my verdict after a day at ‘The Hundred’, with one cracking game and one disappointing. The atmosphere was good although a little contrived: the ‘noise meter’ that flashes up on the scoreboard to encourage cheering; free team flags distributed at the gate; cheesy interviewing of spectators on the big screen all having an ‘amazing time’. Don’t get me wrong, there is so much good about the Hundred but I felt it lacked authenticity. Time, I guess, will help on this point but the big question, which I fear will forever be asked: ‘Why The Hundred?’ T20 is played globally, in schools, in clubs, on village greens and on the beach! Domestic club competitions, World Cups, Franchises, right down to pub teams and corporate jollies. Surely, surely, surely, we revert to the original short format game.
As a purist, my preference is for the longer formats, including the 50 over game, but this was thoroughly entertaining.
Issues that I haven’t raised here concern the First-Class Counties, ‘The Blast’, Championship 4-day cricket, and our domestic 50 over competition. But they must wait for another day!
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