It was a story about English cricket that took flight in the final days of July. A viral clip that prompted headlines around the globe. A cut-through moment for a sport always hunting for them and unrelated to the international game.
Unfortunately for the England and Wales Cricket Board, it also had nothing to do with the Hundred, into its sixth edition, and everything to do with a Saltburn CC fielder accused of clicking his fingers. The fight for attention continues for the 100-ball competition, which rounds off this weekend after undergoing a hefty makeover. The sale of stakes in all eight teams has brought in Indian Premier League owners, tech bros, Birmingham Phoenix investor Jude Bellingham and substantial paydays for the players.
The IPL-ification has been hard to ignore, with teams rebranding to MI (Mumbai Indians) London, Sunrisers Leeds and Manchester Super Giants. Cue the quest to develop these fresh identities, some slightly better than others. Sunrisers made the early error of sharing a clip of their men’s side singing a new team song, read off sheets of paper, an awkward take on Leeds United’s Marching On Together.
Ridicule was followed by the delete button. Trent Rockets – a brand largely untouched by the investment management firm Cain – have been the standout side, topping both tables to reach Sunday’s finals at Lord’s. Sophia Dunkley and Ben Duckett have been among the runs but what’s been the secret?
Beyond the quality of the players there’s the link with Nottinghamshire, according to Mick Newell, director of cricket for the Rockets and the county side. Peter Moores is the men’s head coach of Notts and the Rockets, while Chris Read, who spent 20 seasons as a player at Trent Bridge, runs the women’s side in the Hundred. Her fresh start mirrors the changes to the tournament: she reached three Hundred finals at the Brave and captained the side, but was let go as the teams rebooted with an auction after the introduction of private investment.
Brave, now associated with the IPL side Delhi Capitals, did not bid for her. For me, Southern Brave was so much more than that, naturally with the link with Hampshire [whom Adams plays county cricket for]. A bit of anger but also a bit of disappointment that a franchise that I felt like I did my utmost for didn’t even bid for me.” Adams says the connection between the Rockets and fans at Trent Bridge has been “epic” and is fully invested in the direction of her new side.
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