One of the most awaited competitions in the world of cricket has undoubtedly been ‘The Hundred’ and finally, there has been some update with respect to the venues that will be used to play the tournament that is scheduled in 2021.
From a handsome range of 20 locations to now just a modest eight, the number of venues has dwindled down, courtesy of the operational implications of COVID-19. The eight venues are Lord’s, The Oval, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Emerald Headingley, Emirates Old Trafford, the Ageas Bowl and Sophia Gardens.
The women’s and men’s competition will be played across the same eight venues. The increased alignment with the men’s teams will provide the women’s competition with appropriate visibility and exposure – including more comprehensive broadcast coverage.
After the end of the first season, the model will be reviewed and if required, amends will be made that will help to deliver the optimum structure for The Hundred Women’s Competition, and growth for the wider women’s game.
Beth Barrett-Wild, Head of The Hundred Women’s Competition & Female Engagement, said: “It has always been our intention to review the structure of the Women’s Competition on an annual basis, to ensure that we are maximizing the scale and prominence that The Hundred platform provides to profile the women’s game. Looking ahead to 2021, it’s clear that the wide-ranging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of elite sporting events and society more generally, necessitate a change to our plans from 2020. The move to an integrated eight-venue model with the Men’s Competition next summer will simultaneously enable us to reduce our operational risk, protect the delivery of the Women’s Competition, and optimize the opportunity to work with our broadcast partners to provide maximum visibility and exposure for the women’s game. We, therefore, believe that this is the best structure for the Women’s Competition in 2021. However, with the women’s game transforming and growing at pace, it is important that we remain flexible in our approach to evolving this model in the future.”
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.