What Is 100 ball cricket

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Last updated: April 12, 2026

Quick Answer: 100 ball cricket is an innovative cricket format where each team bats for exactly 100 balls instead of overs, launched by the ECB in 2021. Matches are completed in approximately 2.5 hours, featuring a 25-ball powerplay, strategic timeouts, and bowlers delivering either 5 or 10 consecutive balls to maximize excitement and pace.

Key Facts

Format launched by ECB in July 2021 as 'The Hundred' with 8 city-based teams
Each innings consists of exactly 100 balls with a 25-ball powerplay period
Bowlers deliver either 5 or 10 consecutive balls, with maximum 20 balls per bowler per match
Matches are designed to last approximately 2.5 hours from start to finish
Teams earn 4 points for a win, 2 points each for a tie, and 0 points for a loss; Super 5 tiebreaker used in knockouts

Overview

100 ball cricket, officially known as The Hundred, is a revolutionary cricket format introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in July 2021. This innovative format was designed to create shorter, more exciting matches that appeal to modern audiences while maintaining the strategic complexity of traditional cricket. Rather than playing overs of six balls each, teams receive exactly 100 balls to complete their innings, fundamentally changing how the game is structured and played.

The concept of 100 ball cricket emerged from a proposal by Sanjay Patel, the ECB's chief commercial officer, in October 2017, who suggested moving away from the traditional Twenty20 format that had been originally planned. The format was tested through pilot matches at Trent Bridge and Loughborough before its official launch, allowing players and officials to refine the rules and validate the concept. The first tournament featured eight city-based franchises competing in what has become cricket's fourth recognized format, joining Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20.

How It Works

The 100 ball cricket format operates with several distinctive rules that set it apart from traditional cricket formats. Understanding these unique playing conditions is essential for both players and spectators who are new to the format:

Innings Structure: Each team bats for exactly 100 balls, divided into a 25-ball powerplay at the beginning and 75 balls for the remainder of the innings, eliminating the concept of overs entirely.
Bowling Deliveries: Bowlers have the flexibility to deliver either 5 consecutive balls or 10 consecutive balls, with the captain choosing which option suits their strategy best, creating unprecedented tactical depth.
Maximum Bowling: Each bowler can deliver a maximum of 20 balls per match, roughly equivalent to four overs in traditional cricket, allowing teams to rotate their bowling attack strategically.
Fielding Changes: The fielding side changes ends after every 10 balls of the innings, rather than after each over, maintaining continuous flow and momentum throughout the match.
Strategic Timeout: Each bowling side receives one strategic timeout of up to 90 seconds during the innings, during which the coach can walk to the middle to discuss tactical adjustments with the players.
Match Duration: Matches are designed to be completed in approximately 2.5 hours, making them attractive for television broadcasting and spectator attendance compared to longer formats.

Key Details

Aspect	100 Ball Cricket	T20 Cricket	ODI Cricket
Balls per Innings	100 balls	120 balls (20 overs)	300 balls (50 overs)
Powerplay Length	25 balls	6 overs (36 balls)	15 overs (90 balls)
Match Duration	2.5 hours	3-3.5 hours	8+ hours
Bowler Maximum	20 balls	24 balls (4 overs)	50 balls (10 overs)
Launch Year	2021	2003	1971

The points system in 100 ball cricket awards 4 points to the winning team, while 0 points go to the losing team, with 2 points each for a tie. In knockout matches or finals where a tie occurs, a Super 5 tiebreaker is used, where each team receives just 5 balls to determine the ultimate winner, adding dramatic intensity to decisive matches.

Why It Matters

Faster-Paced Entertainment: By condensing cricket into 2.5 hours, the format makes the sport more accessible to audiences with limited time while maintaining strategic depth and competitive intensity.
Television-Friendly Format: The shorter duration fits perfectly into prime-time television schedules, attracting casual viewers and families who might not watch longer cricket formats traditionally.
Innovative Tactical Options: The ability for bowlers to deliver 5 or 10 consecutive balls creates unprecedented strategic opportunities, allowing captains to develop unique game plans not possible in traditional cricket.
Global Expansion Potential: The format's success in England has inspired discussions about international expansion, with various cricket boards considering adopting or adapting the 100 ball format for their own leagues.
Career Opportunities: The launch of 100 ball cricket created new franchise opportunities and career paths for cricketers, with city-based teams attracting international stars and providing year-round employment.

Since its inception in 2021, 100 ball cricket has demonstrated its viability as an exciting alternative within the cricket ecosystem. The format successfully combines the brevity and accessibility of Twenty20 with strategic elements that appeal to serious cricket enthusiasts, creating a unique middle ground. As of 2025, discussions about potentially converting The Hundred to a franchise T20 format demonstrate the tournament's commercial value and its influence on international cricket's future direction.