ECB’s newest format The Hundred has arrived. It was the Women’s competition that kicked things off as the Oval Invincibles Women faced Manchester Originals Women at the Kennington Oval in London in the opening game of this 100-ball tournament. It received a massive ovation from the fans on social media.
It was delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) newest format The Hundred has arrived. The Kennington Oval in London had a different kind of buzz. 7,395 people were at the ground to witness history being made as cricket’s newest format took centre-stage. The Women’s tournament got underway as the Oval Invincibles Women squared off against Manchester Originals Women in the season opener.
The rules were slightly tweaked. 100 balls in an innings. The count was kept in terms of balls and bot overs. A bowler could send down five or ten balls in a row, according to the captain. Batters changed ends only after 10 balls. A 25-ball powerplay and the entire game could go on only for two and a half hours.
With these new rules, it was Marizanne Kapp of the Oval Invincibles that gave her side a good start. The South African dismissed Emma Lamb for a duck. However, Lizelle Lee stabilised the innings and scored 42. Harmanpreet Kaur walked in and scored a 16-ball 29 before Manchester Originals skipper Kate Cross played a four-ball 12-run cameo to give her side some flourish at the end. She was also the first player to hit a six in The Hundred. Manchester Originals finished their innings on 135/6. Kapp returned with two wickets while Tash Farrant picked up three.
In reply, the Oval Invincibles had the worst possible start. They lost their three wickets in no time as they were reduced to 12/3 in 16 balls. It was Kate Cross who led from the front and ran through the Oval Invincibles top-order. Georgia Adams didn’t last long either and fell at the score of 36.
At 36/4, things looked bleak for the Oval Invincibles. However, the South African duo of Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp got their innings back on track. The duo shared a 73-run stand for the fifth wicket. Kapp scored 38 and fell with 18 balls to go and 27 runs to get. van Niekerk remained calm and took her side over the line in the final over while Mady Villiers chipped in with an 8-ball 16. Apart from Cross who took three wickets, Sophie Ecclestone and Laura Jackson picked up one wicket each for the Manchester Originals.
Social media responded joyously to this new format and really liked the new addition. Moreover, the quality of cricket was top-notch as well. Both sides fought really hard and it was a nail-biting finish. The Hundred couldn’t have asked for a better start. Here are some of the responses:
Ravichandran Ashwin was overjoyed as he tweeted:
Alexandra Hartley who played for the Manchester Originals in the opening game of The Hundred added in her tweet:
Former England captain Michael Vaughan sent out a tweet which read:
Former Middlesex player and current commentator Isabelle Westbury tweeted:
Cricviz Analyst Freddie Wilde tweeted:
