The new format of cricket The Hundred has finally ended on Saturday. The women’s team Oval Invincibles and men’s team Southern Brave became the inaugural champions of the 100-ball tournament. Talking about the tournament Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne have stated The Hundred has been a major success and it’s going to get bigger.
On Sky Sports, the Head coach of the London Spirit Shane Warne stated the tournament has gone ‘beyond expectations’.
The last month has been so much fun. Thank you to everyone that supported. Can’t wait for next year! 💚🏆 pic.twitter.com/W2zoQhICf2
— Tymal Mills (@tmills15) August 22, 2021
“I think it has gone beyond expectations. The cricket that has been on display, the skill on display from all the different teams at various times, has been outstanding.”
The legendary leg spinner further added that it was fascinating to stadiums house full during The Hundred league. He opined that the new format of cricket will just grow in the upcoming years. Shane Warne stated:
“To see full houses everywhere you go, on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday night in Birmingham, Manchester, London – it has been packed and the crowds have really got into it and I think it’s been fantastic! It’s only going to get bigger and better with every year. I think it is sensational to see how it really has captured the imagination.”
The @thehundred has been nothing short of fantastic! Congratulations to everyone involved and to the mens and women’s champions tonight! Can’t wait for next year already! 🔥
— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) August 21, 2021
The leg spinner lauded the 100-ball tournament for giving an opportunity to players to showcase their skills in front of big crowds. Further, Shane Warne took a dig at people who were criticizing the 100-ball tournament and said “It’s here to stay”. Shane Warne on Sky Sports elaborated:
“The women’s game before [the men’s game] had the opportunity to play in front of big crowds. Then the men, the skill that was on display from some of the players – we’ve just seen Liam Livingstone, ‘The Beast’! The T20 World Cup is just coming up, too, and he’s going to play a huge part. It was amazing. I thought Sky did great to get the viewer in, we saw helmet cam, we saw so many different things and different insights. It’s here to stay so all the doubters out there: have a look at what we just witnessed.”
Where's the @liaml4893 fan club at? 👋 #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/Ie9c0y9pZb
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 22, 2021
“The one thing we know is that British public supports sport so well”: Kevin Pietersen
The former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen expressed his happiness on the love and support the 100-ball tournament has received from the U.K public. He asserted:
“It’s so cool to see franchise cricket in the UK. The one thing we know is that the British public supports sport so well. No matter what it is, where it is; the Tour de France started in this country a few years ago and there were packed streets watching them. So you knew that the big sports, a summer sport like cricket was going to be supported. To see these scenes, to see franchise cricket here, and to see it so well celebrated and supported – love it!.
My little lad, that’s the audience that you want, you want the kids coming in, and he’s absolutely buzzing! He’s got his Southern Brave jumper on and is running around here. The audience is in, the guys (players) have been brilliant, giving up their time”
Kevin Pietersen also added that he enjoyed that everyone was very much impressed with the competition. Also, the former England batter feels that the tournament will grow bigger and bigger with each passing year. Kevin Pietersen said :
“What I also really enjoyed was commentating with some of the women who came into the box, the players, and how much they were loving the competition – and how much energy they were giving to the competition. I think it’s been absolutely fantastic. I think we’re coming back bigger and we’re coming back better next year.”
✨ History-makers! ✨#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/cvFJuY0n3u
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 21, 2021
