[Cricket] The Hundred

[Berty23]

The sparse crowds of a few old men at 4 day county cricket, and a few folks watching on a stream, would suggest you’re very much in a minority. I also don’t think a county system is a pre-requisite for player development. A pyramid system with regional sides at the top could serve the same purpose, arguably better, as the top level would be higher standard with the talent more concentrated, as the Aussie system shows. I think regional sides could work, but the trick they’re missing is for them to play at a few different grounds around the region. I think the rivalries will sort themselves out, as the one thing Scousers and Mancs share is a hatred of Southerners (and Londoners in particular). Trying to preserve the county system as it is is the King Canute approach.

At one a point more than 20,000 were watching the Somerset stream last season. I wouldn’t be shocked to see it higher this year. https://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk/...wo-million-views-on-live-streaming-service-2/

And it is not old people watching online.

I simply don’t understand the comments about “old men watch county cricket” - quite true for the 4 day matches obviously because they are during the week so people work. Hardly likely to see lots of working age people there all day for four consecutive days. The blast was full of families and people in Somerset and gloucs really look forward to the annual matches. They are great. Somerset sell out pretty much every single t20. Now Somerset fans have no cricket apart from reserves for the school holidays.


https://inews.co.uk/sport/cricket/c...ve-stream-online-warwickshire-somerset-996161

 

[um bongo molongo]

At one a point more than 20,000 were watching the Somerset stream last season. I wouldn’t be shocked to see it higher this year. https://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk/...wo-million-views-on-live-streaming-service-2/

And it is not old people watching online.

I simply don’t understand the comments about “old men watch county cricket” - quite true for the 4 day matches obviously because they are during the week so people work. Hardly likely to see lots of working age people there all day for four consecutive days. The blast was full of families and people in Somerset and gloucs really look forward to the annual matches. They are great. Somerset sell out pretty much every single t20. Now Somerset fans have no cricket apart from reserves for the school holidays.


https://inews.co.uk/sport/cricket/c...ve-stream-online-warwickshire-somerset-996161

I completely get having a T20 (or even Hundred) tournament that has more sides in it, with crowds that can sustain it. But there’s simply not enough demand to sustain an 18 side four day cricket, and it’s also not high enough standard to adequately prepare test players

 

[Sid in the Sharknado]

The sparse crowds of a few old men at 4 day county cricket, and a few folks watching on a stream, would suggest you’re very much in a minority. I also don’t think a county system is a pre-requisite for player development. A pyramid system with regional sides at the top could serve the same purpose, arguably better, as the top level would be higher standard with the talent more concentrated, as the Aussie system shows. I think regional sides could work, but the trick they’re missing is for them to play at a few different grounds around the region. I think the rivalries will sort themselves out, as the one thing Scousers and Mancs share is a hatred of Southerners (and Londoners in particular). Trying to preserve the county system as it is is the King Canute approach.

People have been saying that the Championship's watched by 3 old men and a dog for decades. Clearly the crowds aren't big, but most counties draw crowds of several hundred. Given crowds at festival matches are consistently much larger, it seems counterproductive to play more matches at the main grounds.

There's also no basis for the idea that there are too many counties. Apart from the late 80s and 90s, Australia simply doesn't produce a larger number of quality players than England does. And the crowds aren't any bigger for domestic matches either. And the ECB had (until covid and the Hundred) millions of pounds of reserves while the counties are still able to sign however many players from South Africa and the West Indies.

More too the point, I still just don't understand the logic of trying to grow the game by playing it in fewer places in front of fewer people. If the Hundred is a success, it'll be because it's on the BBC, which the geniuses at the ECB have spent years telling us doesn't matter any more.

 

[carlzeiss]

Lady Invincibles v Lady Originals on BBC2 right now , looks like loads of fun for all

 

[jabba]

They've said that a bowler could bowl 20 of the 1st 25 balls (ie the powerplay). I can't see how that is possible without bowling in 2 consecutive overs?

 

[Hampster Gull]

They've said that a bowler could bowl 20 of the 1st 25 balls (ie the powerplay). I can't see how that is possible without bowling in 2 consecutive overs?

You can bowl 2x 5 balls so yes

 

[jabba]

You can bowl 2x 5 balls so yes

But would not be able to bowl when change ends after 10 balls?

 

[Bedsex]

All the commentators are being very careful not to call them overs too - “5 ball segments” sounds like the correct terminology. Hardly trips off the tongue though.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Lady Invincibles v Lady Originals on BBC2 right now , looks like loads of fun for all

Or YouTube for those of us without a licence.

 

[Hampster Gull]

But would not be able to bowl when change ends after 10 balls?

I’m not too close to the rules but understand you can bowl one or two consecutive 5 ball overs, so to your original question you could bowl 20 of the 25, 2x5, sit out 1x5 then bowl 2x5

 

[wolfie]

At the end of the day though, does anybody really care who wins ?

 

[indy3050]

Why is the boundary so short? Equal pay equal play?

 

[Sid in the Sharknado]

Why is the boundary so short? Equal pay equal play?

The women aren't paid the same.

Having boundaries out the same distance as for the men would just encourage the batters to dink it around rather than going for big shots, so it would rather reduce the spectacle.

 

[indy3050]

The women aren't paid the same.

Having boundaries out the same distance as for the men would just encourage the batters to dink it around rather than going for big shots, so it would rather reduce the spectacle.

So when they get their way the boundary will expand? Same as tennis, they play 3 sets the blokes play 5.

I love women but this shit winds me up.

Pay me for 3 sets

I’ll take it

 

[Southern Scouse]

Thought I’d give it a go and it’s not soooo bad.
However, don’t like this no over thingy, minimum of 5 ball or 10…
Just good to see some cricket free to air.

 

[Eeyore]

T20 is cricket for people who don't like cricket.

The Hundred is cricket for people who can't count up to six twenty times.

Still the best quote EVER.

Although, perhaps, not wholly accurate.

I have been following the four day stuff on the live streams which seem to be getting better. But, shamefully, I have watched the T20 stuff too. Even more shamefully I have enjoyed it a little.

As for the '100' it can go and do one. I know that T20 is important because it's a cash cow, that's why I have accepted it. But I'm not interested in the Southern Skips or Frazzles or whatever they are.

I notice the tickets for the 100 seem uber cheap. Hopefully folk will give it a miss. Although it will be hard if the kids keep belly aching to go.

 

[carlzeiss]

100 balls , why not have each player except the wicket keeper bowl 10 balls ? 10 x 10 = 100 right

 

[Eeyore]

All the commentators are being very careful not to call them overs too - “5 ball segments” sounds like the correct terminology. Hardly trips off the tongue though.

I suppose they are 5 ball overs really. There were 8 ball overs at one stage. I think, in Australia (just before my time).

 

[Sid in the Sharknado]

So when they get their way the boundary will expand? Same as tennis, they play 3 sets the blokes play 5.

I love women but this shit winds me up.

Pay me for 3 sets

I’ll take it

No. The boundary is brought in for sound cricketing reasons. The pay is too low (or maybe the men's is too high).

 

[Guinness Boy]

100 balls , why not have each player except the wicket keeper bowl 10 balls ? 10 x 10 = 100 right

And the batting team could reverse their order. Maybe rebrand "The Hundred" as "The Beer Match". It wouldn't be any less ridiculous.