The Hundred: Five-ball over, 25-ball powerplay to bring new dimensions in cricket
The newest format of the game 'The Hundred' is slated to begin later this month with the women’s competition starting first on July 21 while the men’s tournament commences on July 22.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has outlined certain rules and regulations for the format. The introduction of white card signals, a five-delivery over, DLS, Super Over and the use of DRS for the first time in England’s domestic circuit will be some of the prominent rules that would come into play.
The 100-ball tournament will have a powerplay for the first 25 balls of the innings where only two fielders would be allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
A bowler can bowl either five or ten balls on the trot. A bowler will only be allowed to bowl a total of 20 deliveries in a match and will bowl two sets of five balls from the same end.
The third umpire will have the authority to make the calls for a no-ball while the on-field umpires will hold a white card after the conclusion of the first set of five balls.
If a batsman is caught in the middle, the new player will take the strike no matter if the two batsmen have crossed the half-way mark on the pitch.
The fielding team would be allowed to take a two-minute strategic time out at any given stage of the innings but only after the Powerplay is over.
A mandatory 50-second break at the change of ends after every ten balls will also come into play.
 "Somya Kapoor")
