Kmflett's Blog

I’ve glanced at some of the opening games of The Hundred Mk2. Mk2 because it is now franchise owned and rebadged. Some players will get £450K for the competition (the men that it is of course, women are paid less….).

I’ll comment on the actual cricket, such as it is, later but I’ve been interested in the commentary.

When The Hundred started commentary was in hyperbole overdrive, perhaps because Sky and the BBC had paid to cover it and you don’t diss your own product. That has changed, perhaps because of the franchising.

Mike Atherton’s piece in The Times (he commentates for Sky) is typical. I’m not so sure though its a case of caveat emptor.

The franchise owners are very wealthy people. They may be involved in The Hundred at least in part as a status thing. Plus of course they are involved in global cricket franchises and in that respect England and Wales is an important part of the jigsaw.

Back to the commentary. The Test Match Special radio coverage was in early versions a tough listen. No criticism was allowed except in an occasional between innings comment slot. Now there is discussion about how full grounds are (quite full but not sold out) and whether the cricket being played is in fact any good (occasionally)

For those many who don’t like The Hundred now is the time to pay a little attention, because in the brave new franchise world it is uncertain times…