The inaugural season of The Hundred has been postponed for a year after the England and Wales Cricket Board decided the ongoing coronavirus pandemic rendered the launch unviable.
The new 100-ball competition, featuring eight city-based franchises rather than the traditional 18 counties, was due to begin in July but will now be pushed back to the summer of 2021.
An ECB board meeting was convened to discuss the matter via teleconferance on Wednesday, with the session rubberstamping the deferral.
For a competition explicitly designed to grow the profile of the sport and draw new fans – inside grounds and on television – the problems represented a perfect storm.
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison, one of The Hundred’s main advocates, has faced down much criticism of the project over the past couple of years and has doubled down on its importance.
“The situation we find ourselves in as a country means that delivery of The Hundred will not be possible this summer,” he said.
“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 fanbase. 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 £25million in annual financial distributions to all First Class Counties and MCC,” added Harrison.
“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.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We’re in unprecedented times and whilst it’s disappointing the competition can’t take place this year, we absolutely support the decision to launch The Hundred in 2021.
“We’re delighted to be a broadcast partner for the competition and look forward to getting under way next year.”
KP Snacks, official shirt sponsor for all eight franchises and an important commercial backer, also agreed with the delay.
“Our commitment to the competition is unwavering and we are hugely excited for our continued involvement with this new and action-packed brand of cricket.
“We’re committed to partnering with a great competition in 2021, and beyond, and are excited to help more families get active through cricket. We look forward now to the launch of The Hundred next year and hope to see as many people as possible in the stadiums on matchdays when it is safe for us all to be there.”
