Anyone watching ? Unreal first 2 bowls from Shaheen. Is he the best bowler in the world ? I think he is.

Nope, not watching. Love the test matches, and love T20, but I can’t seem to find a place for this. this seems to be for cricket what the Europa conference league is to footy….

I watched a bit of it last night, it's not really for me but my daughter loved it, first time she's ever watched a cricket match on telly so i guess it works for its target audience.

Just nonsense cobbled together..Wouldnt give it house room.

I’m the same as above, I’d watch it if I flicked over and it was on but I can’t get in to the franchise stuff, I might do in time, I’ve just no affiliation, although I keep and eye out for the women’s side to see how Libby Heap has got on

Contrived pantomime cricket , with no natural allegiance for fans with players from different counties.

Nothing wrong with T20, why introduce this form when detrimental to all other forms of cricket , no interest in it whatsoever.

Sorry for sitting on the fence

ClaretsPadiham wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 5:52 pm

Anyone watching ? Unreal first 2 bowls from Shaheen. Is he the best bowler in the world ? I think he is.

Yes - never really recovered from that.

Early Days yet ….

I really like T20 and one day cricket and love Test cricket. After what we’ve just witnessed in the Ashes, I just wouldn’t choose to watch this Franchise nonsense but I can see how it will appeal to some and I’m in favour of how it has increased the popularity of the sport with girls, which is great.

Current estimate is that it’s drained 60m from the sport…. It was supposed to be a money spinner, but it’s actually a money pit.

And now loads of the world class players it was supposed to attract in both men’s and women’s games are just pulling out. Sooner they kill it the better for all.

Flicked it on briefly earlier tonight. Not really for me, it's all so gimmicky and forced. The commentators trying to have a chat with Sam Billings whilst he was busy trying to set his field had me wanting to shout at the TV.

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 8:03 pm

Flicked it on briefly earlier tonight. Not really for me, it's all so gimmicky and forced. The commentators trying to have a chat with Sam Billings whilst he was busy trying to set his field had me wanting to shout at the TV.

Exactly how 20/20 cricket started a generation a go when it was aimed at the younger and family orientated market to bring new people into the game. Im sure 20/20 got the same kind of criticism and whinging fom the purists before it developed into a much more serious and competitive form of the game.

Time will tell if it achieves its early objective and sustains a place in the cricket calendar but all I know is that Im really glad the powers that be didn't listen to the traditionalist whining and derision of 20/20 all those years ago and gave it a chance when many wrote it off as a joke format

I'm a massive cricket fan but thus Hundred franchise is just a step to far for me.

Yeah not for me the Hundred.

I don’t mind T20 - least the basic rules are the same.

Controversial opinion here but I’d bin ODIs or make them 40 overs tops.

Nothing beats Test match cricket though, when it all comes down to the final session on day 5 - just absolute magic.

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 8:13 pm

Exactly how 20/20 cricket started a generation a go when it was aimed at the younger and family orientated market to bring new people into the game. Im sure 20/20 got the same kind of criticism and whinging fom the purists before it developed into a much more serious and competitive form of the game.

Time will tell if it achieves its early objective and sustains a place in the cricket calendar but all I know is that Im really glad the powers that be didn't listen to the traditionalist whining and derision of 20/20 all those years ago and gave it a chance when many wrote it off as a joke format

The thing is they already have a very decent tournament in the Blast. Imagine how successful that could be if they gave it the same marketing as the new tournament? Do the same thing with the women's matches too.

If you're trying to interest a new group of people in the sport, then why have a tournament that is played with completely different playing conditions to the every other format of the game?

Imagine how condescending the ECB statement of "we're trying to get women and kids more involved by having slots of 10 instead of 6 as it's easier to count" was to my wife and 7 year old at the time. Imagine thinking that is an ok statement to make.

ChrisG wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 8:50 pm

The thing is they already have a very decent tournament in the Blast. Imagine how successful that could be if they gave it the same marketing as the new tournament? Do the same thing with the women's matches too.

If you're trying to interest a new group of people in the sport, then why have a tournament that is played with completely different playing conditions to the every other format of the game?

Imagine how condescending the ECB statement of "we're trying to get women and kids more involved by having slots of 10 instead of 6 as it's easier to count" was to my wife and 7 year old at the time. Imagine thinking that is an ok statement to make.

20/20 drew in a new type of fans who enjoyed the fireworks, the joking around, the players mic'd up and chatting to the commentators throughout the match even at key points and this was more possible because the clubs and players didn't take it seriously.

At the time this drew in the exact same kind of criticism as the Hundred is now getting and people then questioned why do we need 20/20 when we have a great short format in one day limited overs.

Its been great to see the 20/20 develop in to a serious and accepted format of the game but as it gets more serios it has lost a lot of its gimmickry. Now most cricket fans are probably glad of that but maybe there is a gap to get a new generation of fans into the game using the same tactics and gimmickry that 20/20 used when it first became a thing.

Whether it works for the Hundred longer term who knows but like how we thankfully ignored the early naysayers of 20/20 I think the Hundred shouldn't be judged so early because there are a load of similar naysayers who its not aimed at

bobinho wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 5:56 pm

Nope, not watching. Love the test matches, and love T20, but I can’t seem to find a place for this. this seems to be for cricket what the Europa conference league is to footy….

I disagree with that comparison.

If your side makes the Europa conference league, then unless you support a billybigbollocks club, you'd probably enjoy some trips to parts of Europe. Clubs from smaller countries and leagues like it.
Whereas with the 100, your team can't play in it.
I'd say that it's like your favourite tv series, but turned into a cartoon series, with all the characters having an American accent, and it's been moved to Las Vegas.

Who are we expected to support? I think tonight a Lancashire player did well and helped defeat the Manchester named team. Confused.

It also takes me ages to work out the graphics.

dandeclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 7:34 pm

Current estimate is that it’s drained 60m from the sport…. It was supposed to be a money spinner, but it’s actually a money pit.

And now loads of the world class players it was supposed to attract in both men’s and women’s games are just pulling out. Sooner they kill it the better for all.

And yet they persevere with it. I enjoy t20 & 50 over cricket and can watch test cricket every day of the week but this is not for me at all.

Once again it’s reduced the Royal London to a second team contest almost and it forced the Ashes to be rushed in just a short time. It needs stopping.

burnleybonzo wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:44 pm

Who are we expected to support? I think tonight a Lancashire player did well and helped defeat the Manchester named team. Confused.

Support your favourite crisps.

A couple of observations from me.

T20 as a format was very quickly embraced in club and league cricket and I believe this also helped its initial popularity as people related to it at all levels. I’m not aware of any Hundred ball comps at league level and have maybe heard of an odd friendly here and there in the first year but nothing since.

If the Blast was re-energised and given the 100 budget to attract world stars, shortened a little and where possible aligned to school holidays and also given terrestrial tv coverage I genuinely believe it would out perform the 100 on every metric.

I thought one of the reasons for inventing this thing was that T20 was taking too long and wouldn't fit in with TV schedules?

Interesting that over here, baseball interest was declining rapidly as games were taking over 3 1/2 hours almost 4. So they tweaked the rules to cut down time wasting and literally overnight (i.e. this season) they have saved over 30min on average and interest is increasing again.

Would have been better to come up with tweaks to T20 to speed it up (easily done I would imagine with all the faffing around that goes on) rather than invent the abomination known at the 100.

I was fortunate enough to be involved in cricket at a reasonably high level and it's probably my favourite sport. I refuse to give this abomination house room. How can you be invested in any of the teams? I don't support Lancashire but if I did I would find it very difficult to follow a team with Manchester in its name.

No Test or First Class cricket in August to make room for this rubbish? I just hope the cricket rain gods wash out as much of it as possible.

Viewing figures down again, managing director with a slip of the tongue in a sky interview saying it was the hundreds ‘final year’ then quickly correcting himself to say ‘third year’!

Hopefully it is the last year we have to put up with this garbage and the money is used to revamp the T20 and maybe the county one day trophy.

Much as I love cricket ( I was virtually brought up at Old Trafford in the 70’s with the great Lancs 1 day sides ) the “ hundred “ is pretty uninspiring and hollow . We’re just not brought up on the franchise model like the yanks and don’t have the weather for an IPL style league . It’s ok in the sun for groups of mates and whooping kids etc ,and it does broaden crickets appeal . Apart from that it’s a steaming pile of

The ECB's desperate attempt to have a franchise league. Not for me but I am taking my son to a game as, like it or not, it is an ideal gateway for kids to get into cricket (although no more than The Blast).

Superchargers v Fire. I'll be perfectly honest, I wouldn't know which team was which if they lined up in front of me. I'm sure there will be plenty of skill on show to appreciate and I hope for a close finish to provide some excitement but I'll be completely neutral, with no vested interest in either team.

The hundred is the same as the IPL for me.

I have no team to support so I have no real desire to watch it.

I’m not sure why they didn’t just follow the t20 format but give them special rules where they can hire in foreign talent

It’s a nonsense format

Not the 100 but proper cricket in the one day cup was scheduled for today with Yorkshire v Lancashire in the one day cup.Match abandoned without a ball being bowled due to water on the pitch

ClaretsPadiham wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 5:52 pm

Anyone watching ? Unreal first 2 bowls from Shaheen. Is he the best bowler in the world ? I think he is.

I just saw the highlights for them - very good bowling that

As for the best bowler in the world - Rashid Khan for me.

Shame we couldn’t slip him citizenship

giveusaB wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 03, 2023 3:27 pm

Not the 100 but proper cricket in the one day cup was scheduled for today with Yorkshire v Lancashire in the one day cup.Match abandoned without a ball being bowled due to water on the pitch

Shame would have been the first Roses game at Scarborough since the early 90’s. Good to see they offered free entry to all ticket holders for one of the home fixtures at Old Trafford.

Looking forward to the World Cup in India early Oct , 50 overs is a cracking format and my 2 fav leg spinners in Rashid(AFG) and the “ Chinaman” (IND) Kuldeep , both masters ( IMO) of their art . I see Rashid has just pulled out of the 100 too .

No, not interested in the The Hundred. Terrible competition. Would rather watch Lancashire One Day Cup matches.

Aussie bowler, Johnson (not Mitchell) 20 balls 1 run and 3 wickets in tonight’s game. Must be some kind of record

Claret Alfie wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 09, 2023 10:10 pm

Aussie bowler, Johnson (not Mitchell) 20 balls 1 run and 3 wickets in tonight’s game. Must be some kind of record

It is but Manchester's batting was woeful. Lost by the biggest margin ever in the 100.

Leisure wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 09, 2023 10:12 pm

It is but Manchester's batting was woeful. Lost by the biggest margin ever in the 100.

Yes, they were shocking tonight. That Johnson looked a bit special.

sjb wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:10 am

I was fortunate enough to be involved in cricket at a reasonably high level and it's probably my favourite sport. I refuse to give this abomination house room. How can you be invested in any of the teams? I don't support Lancashire but if I did I would find it very difficult to follow a team with Manchester in its name.

No Test or First Class cricket in August to make room for this rubbish? I just hope the cricket rain gods wash out as much of it as possible.

Totally agree, the team names are stupid, the graphics to try and understand the score are crazy, and it just does nothing for me.

To me the real reason this conjoured mix of Americanised trash is totally PC related so they can run a women's tournament alongside the men.

Very interesting that's there's been very little interest in playing this format all around the World.

We go from a wonderful Ashes series, to Micky Mouse and Donald Duck playing against each other..

How naff is the player mic?

Imagine having one of those for the Ashes

Terrible concept. As a big cricket fan haven’t watched a ball and don’t intend to. As lots have alluded to I’ve no team, I’m not from Manchester.

I think one of their big mistakes which they think was a master stroke is setting august aside for it. All it means for me as a footy and cricket fan is I don’t have the what do I watch decision. Cricket season is over for me

Cricket taking a huge loss at the minute, the Ashes ending was so stupid and ridiculous it likely turned potential fans away.

How can a best of 5 series be decided by weather? People were invested and watched days on end, for the result to be decided by the weather, pure garbage. If the Ashes is so important, wait until the rain ends and play the game, do absolutely everything to get a legitimate winner. It's the same in all formats, why are we getting rained off games in a Cricket WORLD CUP.

Imagine Wimbledon mens final (a best of 5) was cut down to a tiebreak to decide the winner, it simply wouldn't happen in any other ''important'' sport.

KRBFC wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 20, 2023 12:24 am

Cricket taking a huge loss at the minute, the Ashes ending was so stupid and ridiculous it likely turned potential fans away.

How can a best of 5 series be decided by weather? People were invested and watched days on end, for the result to be decided by the weather, pure garbage. If the Ashes is so important, wait until the rain ends and play the game, do absolutely everything to get a legitimate winner. It's the same in all formats, why are we getting rained off games in a Cricket WORLD CUP.

Imagine Wimbledon mens final (a best of 5) was cut down to a tiebreak to decide the winner, it simply wouldn't happen in any other ''important'' sport.

The weather is somewhat irrelevant, as you could have 5 full days of play and still get a draw (or even a tie)

Tom Noddy cricket or not, that was something special by Harry Brook.

TheFamilyCat wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:43 pm

Tom Noddy cricket or not, that was something special by Harry Brook.

What was??

KRBFC wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 20, 2023 12:24 am

Imagine Wimbledon mens final (a best of 5) was cut down to a tiebreak to decide the winner, it simply wouldn't happen in any other ''important'' sport.

It's happening in football already. They've ditched replays in the FA Cup final and they've been discussing getting rid of extra time and going straight to penalties.

Leisure wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:49 pm

What was??

Scored 105 off about 40 balls. Not sure I agree with England dropping him from the World cup squad to bring Stokes back.