ECB Postpones Launch Of The Hundred To 2021
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday said that the inaugural edition of The Hundred has been postponed to 2021. The news follows a meeting dedicated to the subject, where the Board concluded it was not possible for the competition to be staged this year.
"The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today confirms that the launch of The Hundred will now take place in summer 2021," said the ECB in its statement.
ECB said that apart from the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic including social distancing norms, travel restrictions and furloughing across the venues, it felt holding the tournament behind closed doors contradicts "the competition's goal to attract a broader audience." ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, commented: “The situation we find ourselves in as a country means that delivery of The Hundred will not be possible this summer.
“Whilst we are naturally disappointed that we won't get to realise our ambitions this year, The Hundred will go ahead in 2021 when we are safely able to deliver everything we intended to help grow the game. “As we emerge from the fallout of COVID-19, there will be an even greater need for The Hundred. “Our survival as a game, long-term, will be dependent on our ability to recover financially and continue our ambition to build on cricket's growing fan base. That need has not gone anyway, if anything, it is now more critical. “The Hundred will create millions in revenues for the game, through hosting fees, hospitality and ticket sales, as well as delivering £25m in annual financial distributions to all First-Class Counties and MCC. Its role in driving participation alongside supporting the development of the women’s game will be material in generating take-up of our game across country-wide communities. “The Hundred is an important element of the game's Inspiring Generations strategy, which has been debated and agreed upon across the whole game. While financially, our plans may be impacted, our ambition, ‘to inspire a generation’ should in no way be diluted.’ “We would like to thank our broadcast partners, for their extraordinary commitment and support to get The Hundred to this point and our commercial partners for their ongoing support. We very much look forward to working with them as we build to the 2021 launch.”
"The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today confirms that the launch of The Hundred will now take place in summer 2021," said the ECB in its statement.
ECB said that apart from the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic including social distancing norms, travel restrictions and furloughing across the venues, it felt holding the tournament behind closed doors contradicts "the competition's goal to attract a broader audience." ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, commented: “The situation we find ourselves in as a country means that delivery of The Hundred will not be possible this summer.
“Whilst we are naturally disappointed that we won't get to realise our ambitions this year, The Hundred will go ahead in 2021 when we are safely able to deliver everything we intended to help grow the game. “As we emerge from the fallout of COVID-19, there will be an even greater need for The Hundred. “Our survival as a game, long-term, will be dependent on our ability to recover financially and continue our ambition to build on cricket's growing fan base. That need has not gone anyway, if anything, it is now more critical. “The Hundred will create millions in revenues for the game, through hosting fees, hospitality and ticket sales, as well as delivering £25m in annual financial distributions to all First-Class Counties and MCC. Its role in driving participation alongside supporting the development of the women’s game will be material in generating take-up of our game across country-wide communities. “The Hundred is an important element of the game's Inspiring Generations strategy, which has been debated and agreed upon across the whole game. While financially, our plans may be impacted, our ambition, ‘to inspire a generation’ should in no way be diluted.’ “We would like to thank our broadcast partners, for their extraordinary commitment and support to get The Hundred to this point and our commercial partners for their ongoing support. We very much look forward to working with them as we build to the 2021 launch.”
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