Crickets shortest and most action-packed format is just around the corner; that’s right, The Hundred is just 17 days from the first ball being bowled and we can’t wait. To get everyone excited, we thought we’d pick out three players from Birmingham Phoenix and the Oval Invincibles who could set the tournament alight this year.
Let’s not waste time, here are our players to watch out for.
Birmingham Phoenix
Liam Livingstone
The big hitting all-rounder smashed a record 27 sixes in last year’s competition, with a whopping ten coming in one match. Livingstone finished over hundred runs in front of second place to take the men’s leading run scorer too. With the ability to spin the ball both ways, Livingstone can certainly do a job with the ball if needed.
So, were expecting big things next year from the England international!
Will Smeed
The 20-year-old was given his big chance in last years Hundred competition, and boy he took it! Known for his big hitting and rapid run scoring but, Smeed also is an ambassador for a mental health charity and studying for a degree in maths and economics – is there anything he can’t do?
This year we’re expecting Smeed to kick on and hit lots of boundaries!
Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir was the first player to get a hat-trick in the tournament, the veteran spinner is a legend of the game who has all the tricks in his arsenal to be a success yet again this year. Known for his over-the-top celebrations, we can’t wait to see Tahir running round the Edgbaston pitch after taking a wicket.
Oval Invincibles
Sam Curran
The big hitting all-rounder has both the ability to swing the new ball and smash sixes. Last year Curran opened the batting for the Invincibles, hitting a six off the second ball he faced. Curran seems to possess an ability to make things happen so, with him in the team the Invincibles will feel like they always have a chance.
Jason Roy
Scoring 186 runs, Roy was the Invincibles highest run scorer last year. Known for his expansive style, the English opening batsmen is bound to light up the hundred next year. If you’re in the crowd when Roy’s batting, keep your eyes on the game and hands ready!
Mohammad Hasnain
Hasnain is a 22-year-old fast bowler from Pakistan who has over 20 caps for his country. The talented bowler was recorded bowling a delivery over 96mph in the Caribbean Premier League so, expect Hasnain to rush batters and take lots of wickets.
Others to mention
There’s some other hugely exciting talent playing in the hundred this year, including the big hitting South African David Miller. Miller is playing for Welsh Fire who will defiantly be grateful for his experience. Two-time T20 world champion, Andre Russell will be playing for Manchester Originals; Russell is one of the most aggressive batsmen in the world who loves to smash boundaries, take wickets and dive around the field to help his team. Someone who excites us is seventeen-year-old leg spinner, Renan Ahmed; Ahmed took key wickets on England’s U19 World Cup Final run that they missed out by the barest of margins. The young leg spinner has huge potential, and we’re sure he can show some of that talent in this year’s competition.
If you’re just as excited as us after reading that, check out our hospitality experiences for the hundred at The Oval and Edgbaston below.
