Sports Writer
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Carlos Braithwaite, do you remember the name? For most of those heading to the Manchester Originals clash against Birmingham Phoenix prior to attending, the answer would have probably been no. Their answer after the match? Most definitely yes.
Itās fair to say those who the Hundred are trying to attract arenāt likely to have known about West Indies all-rounder, Carlos Braithwaite, or his exploits in the 2016 International T20 World Cup final against England. Needing 19 to win from the final over, the explosive batsman hit four consecutive sixes to secure the World Cup in dramatic fashion.
Ringing out to millions worldwide, the words of former Windies pace bowler on commentary, Ian Bishop remain just as famous as the knock itself. Screaming down the microphone after the then 28-year-old hit his final maximum, āCarlos Braithwaite remember the nameā provided the perfect description to one of the sportās most iconic moments.
After a staggering career since the 2016 World Cup, Braithwaite is once again batting himself into the headlines in English cricketās latest ābig thingā, the Hundred.
Strolling out to the Old Trafford crease, with the Originals needing just three to win off a healthy 25 balls, Braithwaite found the ropes with his second stroke, to win the match for his new side.
A competition that has burst onto the scene in a similar fashion to Braithwaiteās playing style, the Hundred has so far been flashy, frantic, but also functional.
Many criticisms of the Hundred were made before it began, yet a week since it launched into our stadiums and onto our screens, English cricket has never looked healthier. It isnāt for the traditionalists, but it isnāt designed to be.
Those who are turned off by the fire cannons, DJ booths and ostentatious graphics, will in some way already be catered for, be that through the increased calendar of international test matches, or more localised County Championship fixtures. Thatās exactly what has made the Hundred so good, it isnāt cricket as we know it.
Granted, there have been some questionable early choices made by the organisers, like the confusing decision naming the only side north of Nottingham and east of Leeds, the Manchester Originals, despite covering for the entirety of Lancashire.
Or the white piece of card the umpire rotates above their head to denote a change of bowler. But, they will no doubt evolve with the competition, or make more sense as we begin to better understand the new format.
What has made the Hundred so exceptionally good, is just how entertaining the matches have been. Barring the Birmingham Phoenixās ill-fated knock against Manchester Originals, most of the fixtures have been tight affairs, with ties going to the wire.
South African captain, Dane van Niekerkās winning boundary three balls from the end during the tournamentās opening match for the Oval Invincibles set the tone for what was to come.
England international, Jonny Bairstow hit 56 in the Welsh Fireās first match, whilst Marchant de Lange became the first bowler to take a fifer during the Trent Rocketās convincing victory over the Southern Brave.
All before, Alex Hales lead the Trent Rocketsā dramatic recovery from 58-6, to match the Northern Superchargersā target of 133 in one of the tournamentās early stand out matches.
As the slogan goes, āevery ball countsā and so far it seems to be the importance placed on every delivery by a bowler and each stroke of the bat by a batter, that has excited viewers so much.
With a healthy blend of established international cricketers and promising gems from the domestic setup, the Hundred has struck gold early on.Ā
Providing a platform for young home-grown cricketing talent to showcase their abilities on a global stage, can only bode well for Englandās chances in not only the upcoming T20 World Cup, but in all white-ball formats going forward.
Boasting high-value entertainment, some of cricketās most exciting names and equal emphasis on both the men and womenās competitions, the Hundred is rewriting the rules of short-format cricket in England and across the world.
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