The Hundred set to be officially delayed at ECB board meeting

The Hundred’s inaugural season is set to be formally delayed at a board meeting of the England and Wales Board Cricket Board.
The fate of the divisive new competition was discussed at a wider-reaching session last week, when all professional cricket in the country was pushed back to at least July 1 as a result of coronavirus.
That teleconference overran significantly and, rather than rush to a final conclusion, it was instead agreed that the issue of The Hundred would be picked up again during Wednesday evening’s meeting.

There has been a growing consensus that the latter is not only the most realistic course of action, but one that offers the greatest chance of a successful launch, albeit a belated one.
With behind-closed-doors cricket inherently at odds with the stated aim of winning new fans and bringing them into grounds for the first time and the prospect of overseas stars being either unable or unwilling to travel, there are fears of delivering a watered-down product.
Key broadcast stakeholders – long-time partners Sky as well as the BBC, for whom the tournament represents a return to live free-to-air cricket – have been consulted throughout the last few weeks, while sponsors will also be up to date on any deferral put before the board.

The precise financial details of putting The Hundred on ice are unlikely to be settled at this stage – with the ECB mindful that the full impact of the pandemic has yet to become clear – but players who earned six-figure contracts at the autumn draft are set to be hit in the pocket.
More than 180,000 tickets have been ordered already, another pricey hurdle to clear.
What is clear, at least as far as ECB chief executive Tom Harrison is concerned, is that The Hundred concept will not be cancelled outright. Questioned last week about its viability in a post-lockdown world, he said it was now more important than ever to push ahead and make it a profit-making project.
The board will also hear updates on an internal review into chairman-elect Ian Watmore. There have been newspaper claims that Watmore left his previous job as a non-executive director of the English Football League following allegations of misconduct.
The former Football Association chief executive left his role after a short time in 2018 citing poor health. A three-person panel has been looking into the matter and will update on their findings.
Latest
-
News
Jack Leach enjoying life in ‘extremely positive’ England set-up
Leach’s first 10-wicket Test match haul and half-centuries from Ollie Pope and Joe Root have left England on course for a 3-0 series win.
-
News
Hashim Amla and Ben Geddes hit hundreds as Surrey take control against Kent
The pair produced a third-wicket stand of 213 after the hosts were asked to bat.
-
News
England on course for New Zealand series whitewash after Jack Leach career-best
Spinner Leach took 10 wickets in a Test match for the first time.
-
News
New-look England set for ‘exciting time’ as they gear up for South Africa Test
The absence of Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole has opened the door for new faces to make their mark.
-
News
England set 296 for series sweep as Jack Leach claims first 10-wicket Test haul
Leach finished with second-innings figures of five for 66 as New Zealand were bowled out for 326.
-
England
England thwarted by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell again at Headingley
England drew a blank over the course of two difficult hours on Sunday.
-
News
Ben Foakes replaced by Sam Billings at Headingley after positive Covid-19 test
Foakes did not take the field on the third afternoon against New Zealand after complaining of back pain.
-
England
Jamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster England Test debut
The pace bowler fell three runs short of a remarkable century at Headingley.
-
England
England have Headingley buzzing again as late burst rocks New Zealand
The tourists will resume on Sunday 137 runs ahead with five wickets down.
-
England
Jamie Overton falls just short of debut century for England in tight third Test
Overton was caught behind for 97 in the morning session.