Woakes full-on wacky backer ‘HUNDRED’ SHAKE-UP WILL BE TON OF FUN
WORLD CUP hero Chris Woakes is backing The Hundred to be a big hit.
English cricket’s controversial new 100-ball competition begins next summer with innovations including bowlers being able to choose between five- and 10-ball overs and changing ends halfway through the same over.
“There will always be sceptics,” said Woakes ( below, top), who will play for Birmingham Phoenix, one of The Hundred’s eight city-based ‘clubs’, which will each have a men’s and women’s team.
“But there is no way cricket can suffer from this. It can only benefit. This will bring in new faces and inspire the next generation to play. It can be a game-changer for the sport.
“Some people say they don’t like the concept – but it won’t take long for people to grasp it.
“It is still cricket, a bat and a ball. People were sceptical of T20 and look where it is now. There is no ceiling on this.
“I spoke to a few of the Aussie lads about it during the Ashes and they were excited to be a part of it, people like Steve Smith.
“They can earn a lot more money in the IPL. It’s a desire to be part of something new.”
Attracting world No.1 batsman
Smith is a major coup for the organisers – and the Aussie is sure to be among the first draft picks on October 20.
Sam Curran, already selected by the Oval Invincibles, one of two London teams, hopes that
Smith will be in his side. Curran (above) said: “I’d rather not to have bowl at him!
“Fans might choose their team based on favourite players – support the Northern Superchargers because of Ben Stokes or the Southern Brave because of Jofra Archer.”
INDIA’S Rohit Sharma has become the first batsman in Test history to score two hundreds in his first match as an opener. Sharma, who had previously only batted in the middle-order, hit back-to-back tons as India seized control of the first Test against South Africa, in Vizag.