After a record year in 2023, The Hundred—cricket’s unique and fast-paced format—is quickly becoming a fan favourite amongst British cricket fans.  

Thus far, a different winner has emerged from each renewal of the men’s competition, while the Oval Invincibles gave up the title for the first time in the women’s competition.

That adds a layer of excitement to both of the tournaments and makes plenty of appeal as the fourth edition rapidly approaches.

The teams are set for the 2024 renewal of The Hundred, so here’s everything you need to know as the countdown to the first ball continues.

When does The Hundred start?

The Hundred 2024 will get underway with a doubleheader at The Oval in London, starting with the Oval Invincible Women hosting the Birmingham Phoenix Women at 14:45 before the men’s sides face off at 18:30.

What is the format?

Each of the eight sides faces each other once in a group stage format, with the top three teams in the standings progressing to the latter stages.

The second and third-placed teams will go head-to-head in the eliminator on August 17, and the winner of that will go on to face the top-ranked side in the final at Lord’s the following day.

In terms of the matches themselves, it’s 100 balls per inning. Bowlers can deliver either five or 10 balls consecutively, with a maximum of 20 balls per match, and the team that scores the most runs wins.  

Who are this year’s favourites?

No side is yet to win consecutive titles in the men’s game, but that could be about to change this year as the Oval Invincibles are the favourites in the 100 betting.

The London outfit are closely followed by the Birmingham Phoenix and Manchester Originals, with London Spirit, Trent Rockets, Northern Supercharges and Southern Brave not far behind.

The Welsh Fire are the least favoured of the eight sides at 8/1.

In the women’s competition, Southern Brave are heavily expected to regain their crown with short odds of 9/4.

The Northern Superchargers are the second favourites, while Welsh Fire come in third in the market. Both sides seek their first titles.

Two-time winners Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets are both 7/1, with London Spirit and Manchester Originals priced at 8/1.  

Birmingham Phoenix are the outsiders, coming in at 12/1 in the cricket betting.

Who are some of the players to look out for?

The Hundred is littered with high-profile players who have represented their nation at the top level of the sport, which brings star-studded quality to the competition.

Birmingham Phoenix are captained by England spin bowler Moeen Ali, while exciting English batter Harry Brook will lead the Northern Superchargers going into this tournament.

Other English internationals include Jos Buttler (Manchester Originals captain), Jonny Bairstow (Welsh Fire), and Sam Curran (Oval Invincibles), to name just a few. 

There have been some big additions to the rosters in this year’s draft. Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah and Sean Abbot, an Australian all-rounder, have joined the Phoenix.

Afghanistan international Fazalhaq Farooqi, who took the joint-most wickets at the recent T20 World Cup, was snapped up by the Originals.

Meanwhile, West Indies teammates Andre Russell and Shimron Hetmyer have joined the London Spirit.