Latest news with #Hundred
India Gazette
12 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg describes upcoming India series as
Melbourne [Australia], June 3 (ANI): Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg has described the upcoming India men's tour of Australia as a major highlight for the 2025-26 season, calling it 'a summer like we've never seen before.' 'We're going to have a summer like we've never seen before. India is coming. It's going to be a blockbuster summer. That will drive enormous interest, not just from fans, but broadcasters, players. It's the series that everyone wants to play in,' Greenberg said during a virtual media interaction with the media, as quoted by Cricket Australia's press release. Greenberg also addressed the growing presence of Indian women's cricketers in the WBBL, such as Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, and whether there were any plans to bring Indian men's players, especially retired ones, into the BBL. 'We would love to welcome some Indian players to the BBL. That would be fantastic. That's certainly some conversations that we will continue to have with the BCCI. I mean, I would love to see Virat Kohli playing in the BBL this year. That would certainly create some interest in crowds and ratings, I'm sure. But at the moment, that's not happening, but we do have our ambitions to do those types of things,' Greenberg said. 'As you're seeing all over the world, T20 leagues are going down a lot of private investment, opportunities. We're seeing that in England recently with the Hundred. A number of the IPL franchises are now taking ownership stakes in the Hundred. So we've got to again, it goes to the same message I've been talking about. We've got to continue to evolve and innovate the way we run our business here in Australia, and making sure that we have an open mind to new things.' 'But the short answer to that question is if we could find opportunities for Indian cricketers, either retired, recently retired, or current players, to play in the BBL, they'd be very welcome, and it's a conversation we'll continue to have.' On the developmental front, Greenberg praised the continuation of the India-Australia A-team series and underlined their importance. 'It's another good question, and it's hard to find the balance because the A-tours are very important. You know, everybody saw the way that our Australian men's team played in Sri Lanka early this year when we won that series. But what people don't see is the amount of time that a lot of our players have spent playing their touring there in A-series games and others in order to then, once they get their opportunity at the highest level, to succeed.' 'So the A-series games are a very important part of the development of our players, very important long-term play. It's a significant investment from countries to play A-series cricket because, you know, ultimately, you're not generating the revenues, like you would in normal Test cricket, but they are very important. And I get a sense that we'll continue to talk to our counterparts in other countries about how we find meaningful parts of the schedule to put those players to give them chances to play in different conditions, and particularly younger players who will come through our systems.' 'We wanna make sure they've had opportunities to play in the subcontinent and other parts of the world so when they do get the opportunity to play for their country, they're ready, and they've been developed to a point where they can succeed.' Greenberg also reflected on the increasingly packed women's cricket calendar, shaped by the WPL, WBBL and The Hundred, calling it both a 'challenge' and an 'opportunity.' 'Well, I think it's a bit of both, a challenge because, you know, our players can't play every day of every week of the year. They need rest and recovery periods as well, and so we have to be respectful of their opportunities to play in some of those leagues. And then when they are playing for their country, to maximise the time that they have with us.' 'So, I think it is a challenge. And I think in the women's part of cricket, we need to dare to do some things that are a bit different to what men's cricket has done over a hundred years.' 'So, it's okay to be different. It's okay to challenge. It's okay to do things differently, and I don't wanna see women's cricket just simply follow what men's cricket has done over a hundred years. I like to see women's cricket break down some other barriers and do some things differently for cricket. And that might upset some people, but I do think that's the opportunity that you're referencing because, you know, playing cricket at different parts of the year might be a very strong strategic challenge for us.' 'It might really help with our participation base. It might help us attract more younger boys and girls to play the game if they can see their stars play at alternate times of the year. So, I think it's a significant challenge, but I genuinely can see the opportunity that's available to us if we can achieve what I think we can.' (ANI)
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘It would be better as a T20': Welsh Fire's Sanjay Govil questions Hundred format
Before stakes in the Hundred franchises were sold in February it was widely assumed that Welsh Fire would be the cheapest off the peg. Based in Cardiff, where bums on seats can be a challenge, and lacking Welsh representation on the field, they have been the butt of a few jokes during the tournament's short history. But for Sanjay Govil, an IT entrepreneur and the owner of Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC), the appeal of 'one team, one country' was too great, likewise the 'chemistry' during talks with the top brass at Glamorgan. Though he was on a plane when the auction took place, he secured a 49% stake in Welsh Fire, later raised to 50%, that valued the team at £84.6m, more than Trent Rockets or Birmingham Phoenix. Advertisement Related: County cricket: Lancashire, Sussex and Somerset lead way in T20 Blast As Govil outlines his vision for Welsh Fire the most eyebrow-raising remark arguably comes when discussing the future of the Hundred at large and whether, like a number of observers, he believes the 100-ball format is simply one too many for an overstuffed sport. 'I absolutely see it the same way,' he says. 'The Hundred should at some point follow the T20 format because you already have one-day cricket, you have T20, you have Test cricket, right? And just having one more variation, which is off from any other strategy … from a longer-term perspective it would just be better as a T20. But that is something for the future. And [the counties] already have a T20 tournament.' Govil is reluctant to call himself an owner just yet, with the new model not kicking in until 2026 and investors still to sign the contracts with the England and Wales Cricket Board. The delay, he says, comes down to the number of lawyers involved, even if the sticking points reportedly centre on broadcast money, sponsorship and representation on the Hundred's governing body. Advertisement This impasse is expected to be resolved soon, after which Govil, a tech magnate who made his fortune founding Infinite Computer Solutions in the US will formally become a major player in English cricket. Born in Canada and raised in India, Govil says that alongside a love of Test cricket – plus India's era-defining World Cup win in 1983 – he grew up following county cricket scores in the newspapers. 'Being associated with the Hundred is a dream come true,' he says. This investment in Welsh Fire is a passion project, it appears, but Govil stresses that passion has always underpinned his work. As for the lack of Welsh players in the two squads – and the fact that the last England men's player produced by Glamorgan was Simon Jones more than 20 years ago – he says he has 'not given it much thought' due to his focus on getting the deal done. More broadly, he prefers to leave the cricket to the coaching staff and take a 'back seat'. That said, as the owner of Washington Freedom, a team coached by Ricky Ponting and featuring Steve Smith, Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell during last year's title win, the vision for the men's team is clear. In time Govil wants to marry up the two 'WF' franchises – the initials are a happy coincidence, he says – and secure players to feature in tournaments that currently run back-to-back. 'Smith is playing for Welsh Fire this summer, so that is the first player from Washington Freedom,' says Govil. 'We have tremendous talent in our [Washington] team and they have expressed great interest in playing in the Hundred. With MLC and the Hundred so close to each other, we have an opportunity to sign up players for multi-league. It is important to build local talent also but these things don't change overnight.' Advertisement The notion of tournament-hopping players flags the broader direction of travel for the sport and as a self-professed Test cricket lover one would assume Govil to have concerns. There are only 12 months in a year and the squeeze created by the franchise world's tractor beam means something will have to give. 'Cricket might go the way of football in Europe, where they play for the clubs but then play for the country when required,' he says. 'There is still going to be Test cricket, but maybe – again, I'm just thinking through it – it is played just three months a year in two blocks of six weeks. Then X amount of time for the IPL, MLC, the Hundred etc. And not all players overlap. But I see the calendars evolving.' As well as the broader plan, what comes across is just how collegiate the Hundred team owners are despite four coming from established Indian Premier League teams and four relative newcomers. They are rivals, clearly, but Govil says they are also 'a family' who happily offered him guidance when first setting up his MLC team. It makes sense. A rising tide lifts all boats. It will be interesting to discover whether Govil's view on the 100-ball format is shared by others; whether they have simply bought stakes in English cricket and plan to shape what this means at a later date. Another question is whether TV rights for the Hundred will be sold separately in future. The current deal has the English summer bundled up as one product and means Test cricket – still the No 1 format in the UK – could even be subsidising the thing that threatens to strangle it. 'You will only know if they are split up, right?' says Govil. 'I am a very firm believer in the market determining your price. And so I believe the TV contract should be separate. Or we're guessing. Maybe it is correct that Test cricket is subsidising the Hundred. But maybe it is the other way around. The TV money [from Sky] went up when the Hundred came in, no? But I like objectivity. Everything should be simple.' A laudable sentiment – although when it comes to the Hundred, a tournament that has split opinions and looks likely to change, simplicity has been a rarity.
France 24
6 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
England women's batting star Knight out for season with hamstring injury
Knight top-scored as England completed a T20 series clean sweep against the West Indies on Monday, but the shine was taken off her unbeaten 66 off 47 balls when she was unable to field due to injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board said Thursday that Knight sustained a "significant tendon injury" in her right hamstring, meaning she will miss the three one-day games against the West Indies and the upcoming series against India. Knight will also be absent for the London Spirit's title defence in this season's Hundred. However, the ECB hope the 34-year-old Knight will be fit for this year's 50-over World Cup in India, scheduled to start in September. "An MRI scan has revealed that Heather Knight has suffered a significant tendon injury to her right hamstring and will be ruled out of home international cricket and the Hundred in 2025," said an ECB statement. "She will now undergo further assessment with the England women's medical team to determine the next steps of her management. "Although no return date can be set at this stage, it is hoped Heather will be available for selection for the ICC Women's World Cup in September 2025." Knight, in charge since 2016, stood down as captain following a woeful Ashes series earlier this year where visitors England suffered a 16-0 thrashing by Australia in the multi-format series. She was replaced as captain by Nat Sciver-Brunt, in one of the first acts by coach Charlotte Edwards -- Knight's predecessor as skipper -- since she succeeded the sacked Jon Lewis as England coach.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Heather Knight ruled out of England's summer with hamstring injury
England batter Heather Knight is hoping to be fit for the World Cup after being ruled out of the rest of the international summer with a hamstring tendon injury. Knight top-scored as England completed a T20 series clean sweep against the West Indies on Monday, but her unbeaten 66 from 47 balls came at a cost as she was unable to field due to injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Thursday she had sustained a 'significant tendon injury' in her right hamstring, meaning she will miss the three one-day games against the West Indies and the upcoming series against India. Knight will also be absent for the London Spirit's title defence in this season's Hundred. However, the ECB is hopeful the former England captain will be available for this year's World Cup in India which is scheduled to start in September. A statement from the ECB said: 'An MRI scan has revealed that Heather Knight has suffered a significant tendon injury to her right hamstring and will be ruled out of home international cricket and the Hundred in 2025. We're with you all the way Heather 💔 Read more 👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 29, 2025 'She will now undergo further assessment with the England women's medical team to determine the next steps of her management. 'Although no return date can be set at this stage, it is hoped Heather will be available for selection for the ICC Women's World Cup in September 2025.' Knight, who was replaced as captain by new head coach Charlotte Edwards, shone in both of her visits to the crease in the T20 series success against the West Indies, scoring 109 runs without losing a wicket.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Heather Knight ruled out of England's summer with hamstring injury
Knight top-scored as England completed a T20 series clean sweep against the West Indies on Monday, but her unbeaten 66 from 47 balls came at a cost as she was unable to field due to injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Thursday she had sustained a 'significant tendon injury' in her right hamstring, meaning she will miss the three one-day games against the West Indies and the upcoming series against India. Knight top-scored during England's clash with the West Indies (Steven Paston/PA) Knight will also be absent for the London Spirit's title defence in this season's Hundred. However, the ECB is hopeful the former England captain will be available for this year's World Cup in India which is scheduled to start in September. A statement from the ECB said: 'An MRI scan has revealed that Heather Knight has suffered a significant tendon injury to her right hamstring and will be ruled out of home international cricket and the Hundred in 2025. We're with you all the way Heather 💔 Read more 👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 29, 2025 'She will now undergo further assessment with the England women's medical team to determine the next steps of her management. 'Although no return date can be set at this stage, it is hoped Heather will be available for selection for the ICC Women's World Cup in September 2025.' Knight, who was replaced as captain by new head coach Charlotte Edwards, shone in both of her visits to the crease in the T20 series success against the West Indies, scoring 109 runs without losing a wicket.
