Hampshire director of cricket Giles White admits the negative reaction to The Hundred reminds him of the response when Twenty20 format was first introduced 15 years ago.
The Ageas Bowl will be the home ground for one of the new franchises in 2020, when instead of a T20 league the new competition will see each side face 100 balls - 15 six-ball overs and a ten-ball ‘over’.
“First off it wasn’t particularly well received, it took everyone a little by surprise, but it’s only natural to be sceptical of something new,” said White, who played in a Twenty20 trial match in his last season as a player in 2002 – a year before the current shortest format was introduced.
“Most people didn’t know what to make of T20 15 years ago,” he said.
“Now it’s a huge part of the global game. With T20 so successful, you wonder why change it.
“But I’m not against it. I think we should be open to new ideas. I can see how the timings would suit families by allowing kids to get back at a good time.
“So hopefully we can increase that type of audience.”
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