Originally Posted by
Optimistic Nick
Dreadful kits with crisp logos on the front?
Further erosion of the notion of belonging to where you come from?
A clear and stated gender pay gap?
An understandable format for people who cannot count to six?
But you do raise a good point and I question whether they've gone far enough with this new format. I'm not sure we need a new format - I think what we need is essentially a new game. Why not make it 10 runs for clearing the boundary and call it something stupid like the CPL has done, where it is seemingly known as a "hero maximum"? Why not allow RHBs to elect to bat LHB for up to 5 deliveries with any runs they score counting double? Why not have 4 stumps instead of 3, and allow the wicket keeper to place the "extra" stump in a position of his choosing in a defined area behind the batter? Why not do away with LBW and instead of being given out, the batter is simply not allowed to stand on whichever leg is hit by the ball for the rest of the over? Why not allow each team to field an MLB pitcher to deliver up to 10 balls, baseball-style? Why not allow batting teams to field an NFL linebacker in the outfield, and allow him to block/tackle any fielders trying to retrieve the ball? After a no-ball, why not blindfold the bowler for the rest of the over rather than making him retake the delivery?
I've no issue with The Hundred really (apart from the kits which are simply unforgivable). It's something else to do with your mates rather than go to the pub and I've been quite enjoying the CPL. But the only reason that cricket matters is test cricket - everything should be geared towards improving the international side and as The Hundred clearly will not, I don't really see why it needs to come under the umbrella of cricket at all. They may as well invent a new game.