In the long history of cricket, no innovation has sparked as much debate as the introduction of the Hundred, particularly the Men’s Hundred. Since round-arm bowling was legalised in the 1830s, few changes have been as polarising.
On the other hand, the Women’s Hundred has been universally praised as a game-changer for women's cricket in the UK, helping the sport become a professional pursuit. The format, fresh and dynamic, has drawn in family audiences and provided a blank slate that has allowed top female cricketers from around the world to shine.
The Men’s Hundred, however, remains a source of division. It has successfully brought in new fans but simultaneously alienated traditional cricket supporters. This divide, present since the competition's inception in 2021, shows no signs of closing. The Men’s Hundred seems to resist the British knack for finding a middle ground.
Ben Stokes' recent injury while batting for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred will likely deepen this divide. It's surprising he hadn’t injured himself earlier, considering he bowled in less-than-ideal conditions at Cardiff against Welsh Fire in front of a mere 200 spectators.
That game, reduced to just 25 balls per side, is believed to be the shortest professional cricket match ever played. The question arises: Is it worth risking the England Test captain’s fitness to entice foreign investors to the Hundred? Critics of the Hundred might also argue that the scoring system, which appears convoluted on television, is simpler in reality. A scoreboard might state a target of “97 off 55 balls,” but deciphering it on-screen, amidst flashing graphics, could require the combined expertise of a mathematician and a semiotician.
Regional disparities also exist within the competition. Franchises based at the seven Test grounds have developed a solid fan base, while Welsh Fire has struggled from the start. The team lacks a distinct Welsh identity—Glamorgan’s talented Kiran Carlson has been overlooked—and with Jonny Bairstow’s mellowing, they’ve lost their fiery edge. The absence of left-handed batsmen and finger-spinners further compounds their challenges. Cardiff has never drawn large cricket crowds, and the team’s name doesn’t resonate with fans in England’s south-west.
The late inclusion of some England Test stars, such as Stokes and Harry Brook for Northern Superchargers and Joe Root for Trent Rockets, has somewhat compensated for the lack of international stars. However, the new American franchise competition, won by Washington Freedom, boasted more star power in Travis Head, Steve Smith, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Maxwell, and Marco Jansen than the entire Men’s Hundred.
Moreover, this year's competition has been marked by numerous low-scoring games, contrary to the expectations of big hits, high scores, and plenty of spin bowling. Instead, grassy pitches, swinging balls, and batsmen struggling to maintain even a run-a-ball rate have characterised the season. Tim Southee recently claimed five wickets for just 11 runs, and four teams have been bowled out for under 100. This was likely not the vision when the format was conceived.
Yet, the dissatisfaction among traditional cricket fans with the Hundred may run deeper than just these factors. Consider James Vince, the tournament's leading run-scorer this season. He scored an unbeaten 73 off 50 balls for Southern Brave against Welsh Fire, in a game where no other player surpassed 21 runs. But even this performance, while effective, lacked the elegance of his signature cover drives, reduced instead to power-hitting with all 10 of his boundaries going to the leg side.