Surrey chairman impressed with revenue-generating potential of The Hundred, plans to bring Oval Invincibles under club banner

Oval Invincibles. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The Hundred was introduced in 2021. The unique 100-ball concept brought a different flavour to the game of cricket but it also drew a fair share of criticism. However, Surrey chairman Oli Slipper has voiced his support for the league and stated the importance of County cricket boards embracing it for the benefit of the sport in England.

This opinion is quite contrasting with Surrey’s stance in 2018 when the tournament was conceived. The club wasn’t sure about the idea of introducing a new tournament, back then, as they felt that it could affect the red-ball competition and also the T20 Blast. According to Slipper, the club hierarchy is impressed by the revenue-generating potential of the Hundred and spoke about the prospect of bringing the Oval Invincibles under the club banner.

“For many long-standing and committed members of this club, the greatest challenge to the red-ball game is the Hundred. I fully understand and appreciate those concerns, but I want to assure you that, as chair, I will do nothing that will imperil the future of either this club or County Cricket,” Slipper was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“The reality is the Hundred has been a huge success both from a ticketing and TV perspective,” he added. “It is also an extremely important revenue stream for the game of cricket, generating roughly 25% of the ECB’s revenue which funds the broader game of cricket, and helps maintain a viable 18-county ecosystem.”

The England Cricket Board (ECB) is currently reviewing The Hundred and trying to devise ways to make the product more popular. Quite a few ideas are being discussed like a rise to ten teams and an “open pyramid” option featuring all 18 counties in a two-division format. Slipper pointed out that there is a broadcast deal with Sky Sports locked in until 2028 and therefore scrapping the league is “not an option”.

Instead, he felt that the ECB could try to “evolve and improve” the league. He noted that giving ownership of the competition back to the counties and MCC could give Surrey an opportunity to represent the history, heritage, and legacy of this club during the English summer.

“Whilst other counties will undoubtedly opt to sell equity in their team, under my stewardship Surrey will take a longer-term view and look to own and operate our own team within this tournament. We must find a way of ensuring the history, heritage, and legacy of this club is represented in each month of the English summer,” Slipper wrote.

“We are not just a venue rented out to the highest bidder, we are the greatest club in the world. We are the pacesetters in English cricket and if any club expects to play domestic cricket at The Kia Oval, they should also expect to wear the Three Feathers of Surrey. Therefore, it is my ambition, that we get to a point where anyone who plays domestic cricket at this ground does so in the knowledge that they are standing on the shoulders of giants such as Edrich, Hobbs, Stewart, and Hollioake,” he added.

Surrey claimed a record-extending 22nd County Championship this summer, successfully defending the title they won last year. Slipper assured that Surrey would use its growing influence within the ECB to protect the sanctity of red-ball cricket, which he described as “the pinnacle of our game and the prize we cherish more than any other”.

“I believe that it is our seat at the table that will allow us to wield the power and influence necessary to not only further the interests of Surrey County Cricket Club, but also protect and even grow the red-ball game in this country. The Counties will need strong voices in the coming years, not just from the sidelines but from within the game at all levels, and I intend ours to be a leading voice,” Slipper concluded.

Earlier this year, Oval Invincibles won the men’s Hundred while Southern Brave emerged victorious in the women’s competition.