The 2024 edition of The Hundred is set to commence on Tuesday, July 23, marking the fourth season of this innovative cricket tournament. Despite ongoing criticism and a substantial number of detractors, the competition persists, with this edition functioning as a crucial sales pitch for imminent private investments into the league and its eight franchises from the 2025 season forward. Critical to bolstering the league’s appeal has been securing international star talent in both the men’s and women’s competitions—a strategy the teams and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) seem to have executed effectively.
The defending champions, the Oval Invincibles, are set to open the tournament against the Birmingham Phoenix. Last year’s champions have retained the core of their winning team, albeit with a couple of strategic alterations in their batting lineup. Notably, they have included England’s prolific batsman Dawid Malan and South African sensation Donovan Ferreira. In contrast, the Phoenix find themselves waiting on their Test players, who form a significant part of their batting nucleus, with key players Naseem Shah and Will Smeed unavailable for this fixture.
As the match approaches, the Invincibles are considered the favorites due to their all-around strength. However, cricket fans and analysts know better than to count out the Phoenix, who boast the likes of Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali—both game-changers on their day.
The squads for the opening match are laden with talent. For the Invincibles, Dawid Malan stands out as a critical component in anchoring their batting order. Alongside him, Will Jacks and Tom Lammonby bring explosive potential at the top. Jordan Cox and captain Sam Billings are expected to provide the middle-order stability, while Donovan Ferreira offers the X-factor with his dynamic batting style. All-rounders Sam Curran and Tom Curran add depth to both batting and bowling.
Completing the Invincibles lineup are Adam Zampa, Marchant de Lange, and Saqib Mahmood, who provide a balanced bowling attack capable of posing significant challenges to the Phoenix’s batting order. Each player brings a unique skill set, be it Zampa’s leg-spin, de Lange’s express pace, or Mahmood’s swing and seam capabilities.
On the other hand, the Birmingham Phoenix will field a competitive side despite missing some key players. Aneurin Donald and Jacob Bethell are expected to open the batting, with Louis Kimber entrusted with wicketkeeping duties. The Phoenix’s lineup gains considerable weight with the inclusion of big-hitters Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali, the latter also serving as the team’s captain. Both are known for their ability to turn matches around in a matter of overs.
Benny Howell and Dan Mousley add further depth to the middle order, while the bowlers include Tom Helm and the experienced Tim Southee. The Phoenix can also count on Adam Milne’s pace and Sean Abbott’s versatility. Abbott, in particular, is known for his all-round capabilities, contributing with both bat and ball.
Oval Invincibles Squad:
1. Dawid Malan
2.
. Will Jacks
3. Tom Lammonby
4. Jordan Cox
5. Sam Billings (w/c)
6. Donovan Ferreira
7. Sam Curran
8. Tom Curran
9. Adam Zampa
10. Marchant de Lange
11. Saqib Mahmood
Birmingham Phoenix Squad:
1. Aneurin Donald
2. Jacob Bethell
3. Louis Kimber (w)
4. Liam Livingstone
5. Moeen Ali (c)
6. Benny Howell
7. Dan Mousley
8. Tom Helm
9. Tim Southee
10. Adam Milne
11. Sean Abbott
In summary, the fourth edition of The Hundred is poised to start with a thrilling encounter between the Oval Invincibles and Birmingham Phoenix. Both teams are stocked with international stars and young talent eager to make a significant impact. While the Invincibles might have the edge with their recent championship pedigree and strong lineup, the Phoenix have enough firepower to upset any team on their day. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await this clash, which promises to deliver high-octane action and set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
