England star player Sophie Ecclestone cheered the decision of kick-starting the inaugural season of The Hundred with the women’s game happening first, saying that it was a massive moment in their game. Ecclestone is a part of the Manchester Originals in the tournament, who will lock horns with Oval Invincibles in the opening game.
The Hundred is a new format in the game of cricket. There won’t be an over system, but instead, both teams will face 100 balls each. All the hitting, defending, and chasing will happen in the 100 balls duration.
“I think it’s massive that the women’s games are going to be in the spotlight with the men. It’s going to be obviously a competition that’s run with the men’s and women’s alongside each other so I think it’s going to be massive for the women’s game to go first and hopefully, the Hundred will get a lot of publicity around it,” the 21-year-old was quoted saying as per Morning Star UK.
“It’s really exciting to be playing in the first game of the Hundred, I think we’re all really excited to get going in the Hundred and I think to play in that first game ever is going to be quite historic and it’s going to be a great game. I’d love to bowl the first ball but I think with Kate Cross being the captain, and a seam bowler, I’m not sure I’ve got a choice really,” she added.
The young player has emerged as a star after she was named the number 1 bowler in the world in women’s T20 internationals. She was seen shining bright in the latest season of the Women’s Challenger Trophy in 2020 which took place in Sharjah, UAE. She outperformed with the ball playing for Trailblazers, the winning team.
On playing the challenger trophy and winning the tournament, she said- “It’s really exciting to be playing in the first game of the Hundred, I think we’re all really excited to get going in the Hundred and I think to play in that first game ever is going to be quite historic and it’s going to be a great game. I’d love to bowl the first ball but I think with Kate Cross being the captain, and a seam bowler, I’m not sure I’ve got a choice really.”
The Hundred begins on July 21st in London.
I’m a Senior Masters student pursuing Journalism and Mass Communication. An all time Cricket enthusiast. I could never play the game but always loved watching it, and now writing about it!