Five-ball overs and the option to bowl two consecutive overs to feature in "The Hundred" competition

The matches will feature five-ball overs and the option for bowlers to bowl two consecutive overs.

The Hundred will feature five-ball overs and the option for bowlers to bowl two consecutive overs. (Getty)

The match conditions and rules that will be employed during the much-anticipated "The Hundred" competition have been unveiled. It is highly likely that the 100 balls per innings matches in the eight cities based league, that is scheduled to begin in 2020 English summer, will feature five-ball overs and the option for bowlers to bowl two consecutive overs. 

According to the reports coming in, the other innovations are also on the cards including a change of ends only after ten balls (two overs) and captains being allowed the choice of either continuing with the same bowler for consecutive overs, or split up the overs between two bowlers. 

The maximum number of balls that a bowler can bowl in an innings is 20. The ECB hopes these innovations will quicken up the game up by decreasing the number of end changes and would also add a new tactical dimension to the matches if the fielding captain decides to give one of his bowlers two consecutive overs. 

The board has already appointed Trent Woodhill as the consultant for further discussions on putting the idea of their 100-ball cricket competition into reality come 2020. Woodhill is considered an astute thinker and someone with a good understanding of how the T20 leagues around the world operate by the ECB, with his close association with the Indian Premier League and the Big Bash League. 

Woodhill is on a month-long contract and will work alongside the team tasked with delivering the tournament. His role will be to focus on the high-performance elements of the city-based tournament. The 46-year-old's role will be to travel around the country, speaking to county players, coaches and directors of cricket to gauge their thoughts and give his input and analytical expertise to various parties involved. 

The main ambition is to see a further increase in the popularity of the sport and drive engagement of young and old around the country to cricket once again. 

The eight-team city-based tournament is set to be played in England across July and August 2020. 

(Inputs from Cricket Next)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 20 Jul, 2018

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