The Hundred has long divided opinion, often accused of squeezing out other formats and dumbing down the sport. Yet, spend a full day immersed in it, and the picture is more complicated.
At the Utilita Bowl, the atmosphere buzzed from morning to evening. Families streamed in from 10:27am, greeted by upbeat music, live performances, and plenty of food stalls. The DJ worked tirelessly to inject energy, even if 10:56am felt early for “vibes.” The women’s match, starting on a sluggish pitch, was slow early on but featured moments of quality Phoebe Litchfield’s crisp cover slash, Laura Wolvaardt’s elegant drives, and Hollie Armitage’s late surge.
While the condensed format can feel breathless and limits player expression, the positives were clear. The event ensured proper funding and visibility for the women’s game, attracting around 4,000 spectators early and nearing four-fifths capacity later. For many, this was cricket in a more accessible, family-friendly package.
The star power was undeniable. Ben Stokes, sidelined through injury, was spotted chatting with young fans and posing for photos, adding a human touch that made the day memorable. The men’s fixture ended in true drama a last-ball six from Graham Clark sealing victory for the Northern Superchargers, giving the crowd a genuine sporting high.
Yet, beneath the fun lies unease. The format’s dominance in August sidelines other competitions, and recent news of franchise ownership changes means personal data will be passed to private investors. This reflects the broader reality the Hundred has always been a gateway for commercial interests, with private equity eyeing a bigger slice of English cricket’s summer.
For now, the event remains in its formative stage, offering a mix of spectacle and sport that many enjoy, even if they’re more consumers than committed fans. It is a slick, branded experience part cricket, part entertainment product that delivers excitement but leaves questions about the sport’s long-term direction.
On this day, though, it worked: the stands were lively, the cricket was competitive, and there were moments from Stokes’s autograph signing to Clark’s match-winning hit where it truly felt cool. Whether this balance between entertainment and tradition can last is another matter entirely.
