Fans slate ‘ridiculous’ plans to ‘Americanise’ cricket in flashy new Hundred tournament

Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has joined cricket fans criticising the ECB for its  plans to rewrite cricket terminology for their controversial new Hundred competition — with ‘wickets’ being replaced by the baseball term ‘outs’ and ‘batsmen’ becoming ‘batters’.

The ECB believes the changes will make the sport more appealing to the new supporters they want to attract when the tournament begins in July.

The concept of The Hundred has already irked traditionalists, with each team only bowling 100 deliveries – as opposed to 120 in a T20 game – and counties being replaced by eight regional franchises:  Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Oval Invincibles, Manchester Originals Northern Superchargers, Trent Rockets, Southern Brave and Welsh Fire.

Focus groups have reportedly told organisers the traditional language of cricket can be too ‘complex’ – a complaint utterly rejected by Hogg and supporters on social media.    

He slammed the perceived Americanisation of cricket and has accused the ECB of ‘tampering’ with tradition. 

‘The Hundred changing ‘wickets’ to ‘outs’ for dismissals is a little too much,’ Hogg tweeted.

‘Cricket is not baseball. It’s enough the changes in formats to tamper with the terminology!’

Another agreed that cricket should not try to copy baseball, posting: ‘I wasn’t a***d about the hundred, but this tips me over the edge. It’s not baseball!!!’

One other user sarcastically added the ECB’s next move will be to rename the sport, adding: ‘Probably rename the game to Baseball as well. Ridiculous in the name of innovation.’

Others slammed the body’s use of market research and sarcastically claimed newcomers won’t be able to understand what a wicket is, claiming cricket’s terminology is also a test of intelligence.  

One wrote: ‘Cricket fans, so in the new Hundred competition, the ECB wants to replace the word ‘wickets’ with ‘outs’ – like in baseball. 

‘The idea is based on market research coz people can’t understand what a wicket is. Stop it ECB. Cricket is not just a game, it’s an intelligence test.’

However, many other outspoken pundits have offered little on the changes despite their often outspoken views on Twitter. 

Former England captain Michael Vaughan replied to the news with the words ‘Like it,’ followed by two thumbs up emojis and a wink face emoji.

He did remain somewhat coy however, following his initial tweet up by posing the question to his followers: ‘So it’s going to be ‘Outs’ rather than ‘wickets’ for the #Hundred tournament !!! What do we all think ? Too much change or pretty cool ??’

One cricket fan however did not mince his words when replying to Vaughan, stating: ‘Hundred tournament will be a complete failure.. mark these words.’

Nevertheless, others appeared to suggest the controversial introduction of the new terms will not curb their excitement for the inaugural tournament later this summer.

One added: ‘I’m looking forward to The Hundred. I’m not OK with ‘outs’. I feel better for sharing that.’

The Hundred has already scrapped traditional six-ball overs and instead there will be 10 balls from an end, delivered by one or two bowlers, before a switch to the other end and a clock counting down from a hundred balls. 

 Many of Sky Sports’ star-studded line-up for the competition – including England 2005 Ashes heroes Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff as well as current fast bowler Stuart Broad – have remained silent on the changes despite – in the former batsman’s case – his outspoken views on Twitter.

The trio will form part of a commentary team from former players from all around the world that will be encouraged to use the new terminology.