The Hundred has quickly become one of the most unique cricket tournaments in the world. Introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2021, the competition was designed to make cricket faster, simpler and more accessible while retaining the excitement of the traditional limited-overs game.

Unlike T20 cricket, each innings in The Hundred consists of 100 balls instead of 120, while bowlers can deliver sets of five or 10 consecutive balls rather than conventional six-ball overs. Despite speculation about switching to a T20 format, ECB Chair Richard Thompson confirmed that The Hundred will continue as a 100-ball competition during the current broadcast cycle.

Here's everything you need to know about The Hundred format and rules.

What is The Hundred?

The Hundred is a professional franchise cricket tournament featuring eight men's and eight women's teams based across England and Wales. Both competitions run simultaneously, with women's and men's matches played as double-headers at the same venue.

The format keeps many familiar elements of limited-overs cricket but introduces several innovations to speed up the game and make it easier for new audiences to follow.

Some of the key features include:

• 100 balls per innings
• One innings per team
• Around 2.5-hour match duration
• Strategic timeout
• Five-ball bowling sets
• 25-ball Powerplay
• Maximum of 20 balls per bowler
• Top three teams qualify for the playoffs

Why Only 100 Balls?

The ECB introduced the 100-ball format to create a shorter, faster version of cricket that could comfortably finish within approximately two and a half hours.

Reducing each innings from 120 balls (T20) to 100 balls places greater value on every delivery. Batters are encouraged to score quickly from the start, while bowlers have fewer opportunities to recover after expensive spells.

Although there were discussions about switching to a traditional T20 format after new private investment in the tournament, the ECB has confirmed that the 100-ball format will remain unchanged for the current rights cycle.

How Overs Work in The Hundred

One of the biggest differences between The Hundred and T20 cricket is the way overs are bowled.

Instead of six-ball overs, The Hundred uses sets of five balls.

Here's how it works:

• Each innings consists of 100 balls.
• Bowlers can bowl either five consecutive balls or 10 consecutive balls.
• Captains decide whether a bowler continues for a second five-ball set.
• The field changes ends after every 10 balls, rather than after every over.
• A bowler cannot bowl more than 20 balls in an innings.

This structure allows captains greater flexibility when using specialist bowlers against particular batters.

Powerplay Rules

Every innings begins with a 25-ball Powerplay. During this period, only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle and batters generally look to maximize scoring while fielding restrictions are in place.

Once the first 25 balls are completed, normal fielding restrictions apply for the remainder of the innings.

Bowling Rules

The Hundred includes several unique bowling regulations.

The main rules are:

• Each bowler can bowl a maximum of 20 balls (equivalent to four traditional overs).
• Bowlers may bowl five or 10 consecutive deliveries.
• Teams switch bowling ends after every 10 balls.
• Every bowling side receives a 90-second strategic timeout during the innings.
• Slow over-rate penalties can result in the fielding side having one fewer fielder outside the circle for the remaining balls.

No-balls result in an extra run and a free hit, similar to T20 cricket.

DRS Rules

The Decision Review System (DRS) is available in The Hundred, allowing teams to challenge on-field umpiring decisions.

Captains or batters can request reviews for decisions such as LBW, Caught behind, Edge detection and other dismissals covered under DRS protocols.

Reviews are decided using technologies including ball tracking, UltraEdge and Hawk-Eye, following ECB playing regulations.

Super Over Rules

Unlike most T20 competitions that use a Super Over, The Hundred uses a Super 5 in knockout matches.

The key rules are:

• Each team faces five balls.
• The team batting second in the original match bats first in the Super 5.
• Two wickets end the innings.
• If scores remain level, another Super 5 is played until a winner is determined, subject to competition regulations.

League-stage ties are not decided by a Super 5, with both teams sharing the points.

How is The Hundred Different from T20?