Cricket has never been shy of innovation and the pandemic-delayed 'The Hundred' is the latest in the evolution of modern day cricket. The premise is simple: 100 balls each, most runs wins. It is fast-paced big-hitting cricket with music and pyrotechnics, designed to attract a new, younger audience.

Wednesday saw the first match of the series and spectators watched history unfold as the Oval Invincibles beat the Manchester Originals in a nail-biting encounter.

Tournament organisers have been celebrated for opening the series with a women's match and the 7,395 spectators within the ground made it the most-watched for a domestic women's cricket match anywhere in the world.

The first hundred target set by the Manchester originals was 135 runs, and with a rocky start to the Oval innings this looked like it would be enough. However, a fantastic batting performance by South Africa captain van Niekerk helped to get Oval Invincibles over the line by five wickets with two balls to spare.

Clearly inspired by the Australian Big Bash League and American sport, The Hundred has all the bells and whistles you would expect: flashing stumps, flame throwers, and dance music between boundaries and wickets. Even a live music performance in the interval. The result was infectious and helped to raise the festival-like atmosphere within The Oval.

With fantastic action on the pitch and a brilliant experience for the fans in the stand, The Hundred could not have gotten off to a better start.

Thank you to Charlie for submitting this article. Charlie is a sports writer living in Twickenham. He grew up on a diet of F1 and although his true passion is with motor racing, he admits you can't live in Twickenham without being a cricket fan too.

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