THE HUNDRED PREVIEW: Love it or hate it, The Hundred returns to our screens starting on Tuesday 1st August with a sparkling double header taking place at Trent Bridge between Trent Rockets and Southern Brave. We are then treated to over three weeks of constant action and the final of both the men’s and women’s tournament take place at Lord’s on Sunday 27th August.
We preview some of the notable outright picks for the men’s edition of the tournament …
Trent Rockets – Favourites and Defending Champions
Trent Rockets stormed to victory in The Men’s Hundred 12 months ago (pictured below) and the Nottinghamshire-based team are clear favourites to claim the 2023 crown at 5.6, with Birmingham Phoenix and Manchester Originals just behind them in the betting.
The Rockets maintained a consistent left-right batting combination throughout 2022, and they plan to continue the same approach this year. The team will rely on the skills of Dawid Malan and Colin Munro to complement the talents of Alex Hales and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. This strategic choice is well-suited to the unique layout of Trent Bridge.
Additionally, the team possesses a strong middle and lower order, featuring players like Samit Patel, captain Lewis Gregory, Daniel Sams, and Rashid Khan, who offer substantial firepower. On the bowling front, the Rockets boast an impressive array of options, capable of covering virtually every bowling style in their playing XI, adjusting as per the opposition they face.
One area that might be considered a slight weakness is their performance during the final overs. Nonetheless, last season they consistently took wickets, skilfully rotated their bowlers to capitalise on favourable conditions, and held back Rashid Khan to manage this crucial phase effectively.
Northern Superchargers – Keen to Improve
Only four points separated the top six in last year’s edition of the Men’s event, but the Headingley faithful will nonetheless be disappointed their side’s sixth-place finish in 2022, particularly given the talent they have at their disposal.
During the off-season, the Superchargers made valuable additions to their top order by acquiring Matt Short and Tom Banton. Alongside the already potent Adam Lyth, this trio is expected to bring considerable firepower to the team.
However, it’s worth noting that the Superchargers encountered difficulties against leg-spin bowling last season, having the lowest average and strike-rate in such situations. Another concern is the absence of a quality left-handed batsman, which could hinder their ability to score quickly in the middle overs, where players like Adam Hose, Harry Brook, and David Wiese typically operate.
To address their bowling needs, the team can rely on Reece Topley, who provides much-needed pace and quality to the attack at both the beginning and end of the innings. Topley’s presence complements that of his England teammate Adil Rashid, enhancing the team’s bowling options.
While the Superchargers boast several all-rounders in their lineup, including Wayne Parnell, David Wiese, and Brydon Carse, they will need to be strategic in utilising their talents effectively, especially considering the fast-scoring nature of matches at Headingley, their home ground. Their odds of 7.6 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange to win this year’s tournament are the second highest in the market and reflect the fact that there’s still work to do in order to compete with some more established squads.
Manchester Originals – Looking to go one further
The Originals, last year’s runners-up, boast a batting line-up that combines both power and depth. However, it appears that they may lack left-handed options, with Tom Lammonby and Max Holden likely to be on the bench, potentially exposing the team to leg spin and left-arm spin from the opposition.
Nevertheless, the team can counter this vulnerability with their right-handed batsmen, including Buttler, Laurie Evans, and Wayne Madsen, all of whom have impressive records when facing spinners who turn the ball away. Their odds of 6.1 to win this year’s edition are only bettered by Trent Rockets, with their top order playing a big part in that.
The absence of Wanindu Hasaranga will be felt once again. However, the Originals have found a replacement in Usama Mir, a talented leg-spinner from Pakistan who showcased his abilities for Worcestershire in the Blast. The bowling attack of the Originals will be led by the pace duo of Josh Little and Richard Gleeson, both capable of bowling at blistering speeds across all phases of the innings.
To create pressure on right-handed batters, the team can rely on Tom Hartley’s left-arm spin, which has the potential to tie down the opposition. Additionally, the Originals have a variety of all-rounders, including Jamie Overton, Paul Walter, and off-spinner Ashton Turner, each bringing unique skill sets to support skipper Buttler. With these options at his disposal, Buttler should have enough flexibility to adapt to different oppositions and playing conditions.
