(11-08-2022 14:09 )William H Bonney Wrote: [ -> ] (11-08-2022 11:58 )Charlemagne Wrote: [ -> ]It's supposed to be a city based competition, but London gets two teams.
And there isn't a team in South West England.
London has a population of more than 9m. The largest city in the south west is Bristol with a population of less than 0.5m.
Ground capacity is the main factor, Bristol is the 5th largest city with a major cricket ground. Southampton is half the size of Bristol, but the ground has a much bigger capacity. Many grounds, including Test Match venues, increase capacity with temporary seating. Bristol claims to hold between 7,500 & 17,500. Cardiff has a Hundred team, but has a slightly smaller population & ground capacity than Bristol. I Imagine Cardiff has the better facilities.
There is the potential for expansion with The Hundred, Bristol & Durham would be the most likely venues.
J Roy made his 3rd duck on the trot, as Jacks hit 108 from 48 balls.
Manchester Orginals 120-9
Trent Rockets 121-8 (98 balls)
Rockets won by 8 wickets
The final was played out on a terrible wicket, Lords is a wonderful ground, but generally a poor wicket. Timing looked tough, the Originals only hit 11 fours & 1 six after electing to set. The Rockets fair no better (10-4's 3-6's). despite having a manageable target, continued to loft the ball & find fielders, when 1's & 2's was the order of the day. No game awareness, but at least a potential close finish, with 11 required from the last set of 5 balls. Gleeson hadn't read the script, & he bowled 2 poor leg-side deliveries, which Rockets captain Gregory happily dispatched for six & 4. Almost an anti-climax.
^^ The ECB have ploughed millions (wasted) into this white elephant, & now all for nothing. Brainless. to think that India or anyone other country would take on our pointless format.
Our T20 Bast was always as good as it could be, it fell a little short in attracting the top International stars, but the Hundred faired no better.
I assume that the franchise model was a major driver, but the big money backers have yet to materialize.
The ECB are totally out of touch with it's public, & have largely failed in it's effort to attract a potential new audience.
It looks like an agreement to run The Hundred this year. Adverts promoting the contest are being aired showing the event running in August.
The Hundred has been heavily disrupted by rain so far particularly in the women's tournament that has seen numerous abandonments across the country.
Not the rain has cleared away, after a dismal start, this has been the best year to date. The women have again benefitted from having double-headers with the men in terms of crowd attendance, but in no ways have they acted as a warm-up with an improvement in skill across the board. The depth in the women's game has increased noticeably.
Last year the men had very few close contests, this time there's been plenty.
The Southern Braves beat The Northern Superchargers in the women's final.
The men's final was won by the Oval Invincibles after overcoming the Manchester Originals.