The Telegraph (1st September) has published an interesting assessment of The Hundred cricket competition version one of which concluded at the weekend. The eight teams are now owned by franchisees and version two will run in August 2026.
Telegraph cricket writer Nick Hoult notes ‘the cricket is often forgettable, but the occasion- or in ground experience- is good. Fans enjoy themselves, with the event aimed at a young audience’. Hoult suggests that such enjoyment can make cricket fans.
580,000 people attended across all games, back to the 2023 figures. In 2024 there was a drop because the Olympics intervened. Four grounds had their highest ever attendance with the biggest crowd ever for the women’s final at Lords of 22,542.
Hoult concludes that there was a ‘notable lift in standards’ but ‘still fewer close games than you would expect’. Well, yes. Still that’s entertainment.
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