Last update on.The Hundred was created in 2017 and women's cricket was not at the forefront of the organizers' minds.The women's Kia Super League was abolished. In addition, there was a lot of patronizing language and sloppy grammar about encouraging female engagement.Although there are differing opinions on the progress and purpose of the 100-ball format, which is played at eight cities-based franchises with women's and men's matches played in double-headers at one venue, it is evident that the tournament can transform the women’s game.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is proving that they are taking advantage of this opportunity after a slow start.When equal prize money was announced, the PR machine began to work. Every bit of communication from the ECB referred to the 'Women's Hundred' as well as the 'Men's Hundred'. Media opportunities were also provided to speak with players offering both men's and female cricketers.The ECB always promoted the tournament with a match featuring a female cricketer, while the opening match was announced as a women's match. The ECB did everything it could to make this tournament gender neutral.Charles Dagnall, a broadcaster who covers both the men and women's Hundred games on Sky and BBC, said, "As much we bang about how great the women's sport is, until people actually see it, they won't believe that it is.""That's why we were so excited to see the first domestic game on terrestrial TV."That game changed the minds of many more people than any other game. We expect the England [women’s] side to be successful, and we expect the India (or Australia) side to be successful."We expect a touring side from an international side to be great, but to show a domestic match on terrestrial TV and for others to see the standard we have been discussing, I believe it has done more for women's games than anything else."Sometimes the ECB's marketing was too much. It was almost easy to overlook the large pay gap between men and women. It was not mentioned that one of the nine women's group games would be featured on free-to air television.It was not mentioned that the majority of women's matches would take place during work hours or overlap with England's Test series. This is in contrast to the more favorable evening timeslots for men's games.The BBC announced last week that they will broadcast three more women's games. This is testament to the immediate success and impact of the Women's Hundred.Many of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic were very detrimental to women's sports.However, not all of them.The men's and ladies' Hundred matches were split into two-headers out of necessity. They were played at the same venue, which is large and iconic, and broadcast by the same commentary team.Double-headers for women's sports remain controversial because it is often presented as an inferior sideshow to the main men’s spectacle.The downsides of the match have been reduced by reducing the time between them and promoting both matches as a family day out.Even though the start times for women’s games are in the afternoon, they don't overlap with normal working hours. This is due to the Tokyo Olympics' time differences. The women's Hundred matches begin just as coverage ends for the day.A notable advantage is the fact that broadcasters have covered the matches for both men and women on the same day.It was like Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad, who have large social media followings, and influence across the game, were suddenly introduced to Nat Sciver and Jemimah Rodrigues.It was delightful to see Pietersen purring at Rodrigues shots.A pandemic has also made it more difficult for women's and men's teams to work together.The idea of "one club, two team" is based on the Big Bash League in Australia. Each franchise has a men's or women's side.However, even then the women's teams needed to join a men's league which had been in existence for nearly a decade.The simultaneous creation of the women's and men's leagues in The Hundred has allowed the men to have a women-only team from the beginning.Dagnall adds, "I enjoyed the KSL but I believe for the women’s game, just like in Australia's Big Bash League, to have the same club and the same products so that kids can buy a shirt, a cap, or whatever it may be and follow both the men's or women's teams, is crucial.""If you are a Trent Rockets Fan, you are a Trent Rockets Fan, regardless of whether the men or women are playing. They are packaged together.Covid-19's impact and the need for bio-secure environments around players has resulted in men's and ladies' teams seeing more of one another than they would without it.After play, they congregate in the team rooms, while the men are often seen supporting their side on the ground, and finally, sharing that support via social media.The Hundred is also a good time for women's cricket. Although domestic professionalization is just beginning, the internationals of England and overseas have been playing professional cricket for a while. Their skillful performances prove this.Rodrigues, a woman, has scored the highest individual score in The Hundred. Two of the five highest innings' strike rates were also women's. This domestic showcase was perfectly timed.Jarrod Kimber, a journalist and podcaster from Red Inker, recalls that "I was watching" the first Hundred games. "I went with my family to the game. It was fun and I thought it was a great game. Then I realized that women's domestic cricket was not as good as I thought.As with all women's sports, women's cricket is on a path. The Hundred has accelerated the progress towards gender equality and it's still developing.It is not clear if this was an accident or a well-planned plan. The Hundred is changing the game for women, despite the many criticisms.
