Cricket

Oval Invincibles, the two-time Hundred champions, kicked off the fourth season of the tournament with a dominant 45-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix. Paige Scholfield, batting at the top of the order in place of Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu, led the charge with a sparkling 71.Scholfield and England's Alice Capsey formed a formidable partnership, putting on 90 runs for the second wicket. Capsey contributed 52 runs, and the duo shared 17 boundaries. Their explosive batting threatened to set a new record in the Hundred women's competition.However, a flurry of late wickets slowed down the Invincibles' progress. Nevertheless, they set a challenging target of 150 runs for Birmingham Phoenix.The Phoenix's chase got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets with just 32 runs on the board. New Zealand captain Sophie Devine and Birmingham local Amy Jones offered some resistance, but the Invincibles' bowling attack proved too strong.Australian legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington was the standout performer with the ball, taking three wickets for just nine runs. Her economical spell helped restrict the Phoenix to 105 runs, securing a comfortable 45-run victory for the Invincibles.Scholfield, named the Meerkat Match Hero, expressed her delight at her performance. She credited her success to the support of Lauren Winfield-Hill and her trust in her own abilities.The Invincibles' victory sets the tone for the upcoming Hundred season, showcasing the exciting and competitive nature of the tournament.

The Hundred, England's premier short-form cricket competition, is set to return on Tuesday with a bang. But beyond the fireworks and live music, the real action will be in the hospitality suites, where the ECB aims to attract investors to its eight teams.The ECB has rejected a significant offer from Bridgepoint Capital to buy a controlling stake in the Hundred and is now exploring alternative options. The governing body has launched 'Project Gemini' to develop a revamped Hundred, with external investors buying stakes in the teams by 2025.The ECB has received interest from potential investors worldwide, including IPL and WPL franchise owners, NFL owners, and parties from Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and the USA. The sales process will formally begin in September, with the ECB appointing Deloitte and the Raine Group as financial advisors.The Hundred has a solid base, attracting strong crowds and support from broadcasters. However, it also faces challenges, including competition from other short-form leagues and the depletion of squads due to international commitments.The ECB plans to expand the Hundred to two new franchises from 2029 and is seeking investors who will support English cricket as a whole. The process will involve a three-month evaluation of both financial and qualitative factors.Some prospective investors have expressed frustration with the lack of clarity in the process, while others are concerned about the level of control they will have over their teams. The ECB is working to address these concerns and ensure that the sale process is transparent and fair.The Hundred has been a catalyst for the growth of women's cricket in England and Wales, providing a platform for exceptional female athletes. The double-header model, featuring both men's and women's matches, is particularly appealing to prospective buyers.The ECB believes that now is the right time to attract investment in the Hundred, as cricket is experiencing a global surge in popularity. The competition will face increased competition from other short-form leagues, and the ECB is keen to ensure that it remains a world-class tournament.

Deepti Sharma, the Indian all-rounder, will return to the Hundred this year, signing for London Spirit as a replacement for the injured Grace Harris. Sharma previously played for Spirit in the inaugural season of the competition in 2021 and was an unused member of Birmingham Phoenix's squad the following summer.The Hundred, a 100-ball cricket tournament, commences on July 23. Spirit's opening fixture is scheduled for the following day against Southern Brave. However, Sharma will miss the start of the competition due to her participation in the Asia Cup in Dambulla. Erin Burns, who is currently playing for Northern Diamonds in England, will replace Sharma for the first two games.Sharma is one of three Indian players set to participate in the Hundred this season, alongside Richa Ghosh (Birmingham Phoenix) and Smriti Mandhana (Southern Brave). Like Sharma, both players are part of India's Asia Cup squad and will miss the first week of the competition.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the latest tranche of replacement players on Thursday afternoon. Sophie Molineux (Manchester Originals) also withdrew from the Hundred, with no reason provided. Australia has a busy schedule ahead, including a short series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup in September.Molineux has been replaced by Kim Garth, while Bethan Ellis will join her at the Originals after Mahika Gaur pulled out due to a side strain. Tash Farrant has been ruled out with a hamstring injury but is yet to be replaced at Oval Invincibles. Beth Langston will replace Claire Nicholas at Welsh Fire.As reported by ESPNcricinfo, England's Test batters will be released to play in the men's Hundred immediately after their third Test against West Indies at Edgbaston. However, their bowlers and all-rounders, including Ben Stokes, are likely to play only the second half of the group stages due to workload management.Other notable replacement deals include Leicestershire's Louis Kimber, who takes up the injured Will Smeed's spot at Phoenix, and Mohammad Amir, who has signed for the defending champions Oval Invincibles as short-term cover while Spencer Johnson concludes his commitments at Major League Cricket.

Pakistan's young fast bowler Naseem Shah has been denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in The Hundred due to workload management concerns.Sources close to Geo News revealed that the PCB's decision was made as a precautionary measure after assessing Naseem's application. Despite being a regular member of Pakistan's team in all three formats, Naseem's injury history and fitness issues prompted the board to decline his request.In October 2023, Naseem underwent surgery to address a shoulder problem. The surgery ruled him out of the 2023 ICC World Cup, contributing to Pakistan's disappointing group-stage exit. Following the surgery, doctors advised Naseem to rest and recover for four to six weeks before returning to action. The injury is expected to keep him out for a minimum of three to four months.Pakistan has a busy schedule of important World Test Championship matches in the coming months. They will face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting on August 21. Pakistan's red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, has already hinted at the possibility of Shaheen Shah Afridi missing the series.Shaheen and his wife Ansha are expecting their first child, and he may miss the Test series against Bangladesh next month. "Shaheen can miss Bangladesh Test matches due to childbirth. We can give him [some] rest if he wants to stay with his wife till then," said Gillespie.In addition to red-ball cricket, Pakistan will also play limited-overs cricket against Australia in November. The PCB's decision to deny Naseem an NOC is aimed at protecting him from further injuries and ensuring his availability for these crucial matches.

The Hundred, England's premier 100-ball cricket tournament, has finalized its squads for the upcoming season, with several notable additions and replacements.Ollie Robinson, the England and Sussex seamer, has joined Trent Rockets as a Wildcard after previous stints with Manchester Originals and Northern Superchargers. Ravi Bopara returns to London Spirit, where he impressed last year. Mason Crane, the legspinner, has been picked up by Welsh Fire following his loan move from Hampshire to Glamorgan. Dillon Pennington, the Nottinghamshire seamer on England's radar, will play for Northern Superchargers.These selections were based on performances in the Vitality Blast and Charlotte Edwards Cup. All eight men's and women's Hundred sides now have full squads ahead of the tournament's fourth edition, running from July 23 to August 18.Fran Wilson, an England Women's World Cup winner in 2017, will feature for Birmingham Phoenix. Sophie Luff (Southern Brave), Danielle Gregory (Manchester Originals), and Abi Freeborn (London Spirit) are among the other notable signings."I'm really happy to have been drafted by Southern Brave," said Luff. "The Hundred is a great competition to be a part of, so I'm really happy to have been picked up and it's especially great to have been selected by Charlotte Edwards."Six replacement players have also been announced. Tom Aspinwall and Scott Currie will step in at Manchester Originals for Fred Klaassen and Josh Tongue. Emma Jones will take over from Ailsa Lister at Birmingham Phoenix women, while Charli Knott will be available for Brave's first two women's matches in place of Smriti Mandhana. Laura Harris will deputise for Chamari Athapaththu for Oval Invincibles' opening two fixtures, while Suzie Bates stands in for Richa Ghosh for the first three games at Phoenix.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is seeking member approval for its proposed 51% stake in the London Spirit franchise of the Hundred. The club's committee has expressed support for the ECB's plan to attract private investment in the tournament's eight teams.MCC's chief executive, Guy Lavender, outlined the committee's position in a letter to members. He emphasized the potential for the Hundred to grow the men's and women's game. While some hosts may sell part or all of their stake, MCC intends to retain its majority ownership.However, MCC has made it clear that member approval is crucial. An SGM will be held on September 9 for members to vote on the club's acceptance of the 51% equity share. The results will be announced a week later.MCC will retain the right to veto any potential minority shareholder in London Spirit. Lavender stressed that the decision is not about accepting the highest bidder but finding a partner who aligns with MCC's values and expertise.The London Spirit franchise is expected to be the most valuable due to its association with Lord's. Andrew Umbers, co-founder of Oakwell Sports Advisory, believes the scarcity premium of the two London teams makes it a lucrative investment.Other Hundred-hosting counties are evaluating their positions on the competition's future. Hampshire is a private club, but the remaining six counties have not yet publicly committed to giving members a direct vote on the Hundred's privatization.MCC's decision to seek member approval has been praised by the County Cricket Members Group. Coordinator Alan Higham believes it demonstrates the club's recognition of the significance of the decision for the game as a whole.

Sam Billings, the captain of the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, has emphasized the importance of equitable revenue distribution from the proposed sale of stakes in Hundred teams to private investors. He believes that the larger clubs have a moral obligation to ensure the prosperity of all 18 first-class counties.The ECB and the counties have reached a consensus on selling stakes in the eight Hundred teams later this year. However, the distribution of funds remains a contentious issue. The 11 counties without Hundred teams are seeking independent counsel to guarantee a fair deal from the seven hosting counties and MCC.Billings, who led Kent for six years before joining the Invincibles, believes private investment could revitalize county cricket. However, he expresses concern that it could exacerbate financial disparities between larger and smaller counties if the distribution of funds is not equitable."The Hundred is here to stay," Billings stated. "If the money that comes into the game is used wisely, it could benefit everyone and revitalize county cricket."Billings emphasizes his deep connection to Kent and his desire to repay the club that has supported him throughout his career. He views the Oval Invincibles as a joint venture between Surrey and Kent, with both counties contributing to its success."It has to be a relationship between all parties, and it just has to be fair," Billings said. "Kent has produced a remarkable number of England cricketers recently. If we don't invest in that, it could be very worrying for the overall picture."The latest proposals grant the seven host counties and MCC 51% of the shares in their respective Hundred teams. They will then decide how much, if any, of those shares they wish to sell. Surrey's chairman, Oli Slipper, has expressed a desire to rename the Hundred team 'Surrey Invincibles' if they become majority owners.Billings strongly opposes this move. "That just shouldn't happen," he said. "Surrey is a fantastic club, but they have a moral responsibility to uplift others who need it more."Kent's bid to host a 'Tier One' women's team from 2025 was recently rejected by the ECB. Billings believes that a significant dividend from the sale of Hundred teams could help Kent invest in facilities at Beckenham, their second home ground."Beckenham has great potential for both the male and female game," Billings said. "We have a large local catchment area and it's a great opportunity for Kent."

The Hundred, England's premier domestic T20 competition, faces a scheduling clash with Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States, potentially depriving the tournament of several overseas stars.MLC's inaugural season concluded two days before the Hundred's launch last year, but this year, the leagues will overlap by six days in July. The Hundred's group stage commences on July 23, while MLC runs until the final on July 28, with knockout fixtures starting on July 24.Twelve of the 24 overseas players contracted in the men's Hundred have already been announced as signings or retentions in MLC, and more could follow. Most of these players will remain in the US until their respective MLC franchises are eliminated.Stephen Fleming, coach of Southern Brave in the Hundred and Texas Super Kings in MLC, is expected to prioritize the Hundred, ensuring his arrival in the UK before Brave's opening match on July 24.Depending on the MLC playoff participants, some Hundred teams could be without multiple overseas players for their opening fixtures. Southern Brave, for instance, could miss Kieron Pollard, Akeal Hosein, and Finn Allen, who are all playing in MLC.MLC's player salaries surpassed those of the Hundred last year, with the top salary reaching approximately £135,000 for a minimum of five games. In contrast, the Hundred's top salary was £125,000 for a minimum of eight games.The Hundred's opening week will likely lack star power due to the clash with the third England vs West Indies Test at Edgbaston. Availability is better in the women's Hundred, with only a brief overlap with the Asia Cup.MLC begins on July 5 and features a 21-match group stage, with each team playing seven fixtures. The knockout stage includes an Eliminator, Qualifier, Challenger, and final.MLC has attracted several Australian players this year, including Steven Smith, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Jake Fraser-McGurk. Two MLC franchises have ties to Australian states, while a Seattle Orcas squad recently toured Queensland.The ECB's plan to sell equity stakes in Hundred teams to private investors aims to attract top overseas players. The ECB hopes to gift a 51% share in each team to its host county and sell the remaining 49% by the end of the year, sharing the revenue across the English game.

The Hundred draft, scheduled for March 20, promises an exciting pool of overseas players, including David Warner, Kane Williamson, Meg Lanning, and Smriti Mandhana. Warner, previously absent from the competition, is now available for £100,000, while Williamson, who missed the first season due to injury, can be acquired for £75,000.In the women's draft, Mandhana joins Ashleigh Gardner, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma as the top-priced players at £50,000. Lanning, who has also withdrawn in the past, is available for £40,000, alongside Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland. India's contingent includes Richa Ghosh, Renuka Singh, and Shikha Pandey.The men's draft features seven players in the £125,000 bracket, including Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Josh Inglis, and Daryl Mitchell. Kieron Pollard, Shamar Joseph, Sikandar Raza, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Naseem Shah are all priced at £100,000.Notable England players in the draft include Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Amy Jones, and Lauren Filer. Malan, a winner with Trent Rockets in 2022, expressed his enthusiasm for the competition. Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu, the Player of the Tournament in the recent WBBL, is also eager to join the Hundred.The draft will be held at the Shard in London and broadcast live on YouTube, TikTok, and the Hundred website. Birmingham Phoenix will have the first pick in the women's draft, while Northern Superchargers will start the men's draft.