Cricket | Why don't people like The Hundred?

Now for a look at one of the most controversial additions to the game of cricket 

The Hundred intended to attract new fans to the sport. Has it succeeded?

Author | Peter Grainger

Fans watching The Hundred in 2025

It's just not cricket! What is The Hundred?

It is played in a unique 100-ball structure, it is designed to be shorter, faster, and more accessible than traditional forms of the game, with matches typically lasting around two and a half hours.

Attendance and viewing figures have been strong, particularly in the early years, with encouraging signs of more diverse and younger audiences engaging with the game. However, debate persists about whether The Hundred is uniting or dividing English cricket.

Criticism of the format

Despite its modern packaging and appeal to new audiences, The Hundred has not been without its critics. From the outset, many within the cricket establishment expressed unease about the introduction of another format alongside the already well-established T20, one-day and first-class competitions.

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Some questioned the need for a new structure when the T20 Blast, which predates The Hundred by nearly two decades, already served as a popular short-form domestic tournament. Detractors argue that the ECB’s focus on The Hundred has come at the expense of the counties, whose resources and schedules have been squeezed to accommodate the new league.

Lancashire fan Liam C told us: "I'm not what they have achieved with the new format. They should have just brought in more investment to the current T20 Blast competition."

Why do people like it?

Some cricket fans have seen it as an essential evolution to keep cricket relevant in a crowded entertainment market.

One fan told us: "I like Test Cricket but The Hundred is fine. The longer formats of the game will always exist and this is a nice addition."

Who won the competition in 2024?

Oval Invincibles came out on top for the second year running after a convincing 17-run victory over Southern Brave in the final at Lord’s. They became the first men's team to successfully defend the trophy.

The future

As it enters its fifth season in 2025, The Hundred remains both a symbol of innovation and a flashpoint in the wider discussion about the future of the game. It continues to challenge assumptions, draw fresh audiences and spark controversy, in equal measure.