Rules, 100 balls, Powerplay, DRS and how it is different from T20

The Hundred has quickly become one of the most unique cricket tournaments in the world. Launched in 2021 by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the competition was designed to make cricket faster, simpler and more accessible while retaining the excitement of the traditional limited overs game.

Unlike T20 cricket, each innings in The Hundred consists of 100 balls instead of 120, while bowlers can bowl consecutive sets of five or 10 balls instead of the traditional six-ball overs. Despite speculation of a switch to the T20 format, ECB Chairman Richard Thompson confirmed that The Hundred will continue as a 100-ball competition during the current broadcast cycle.

Also Read: The Hundred 2026 live streaming in India: Where to watch on TV and online

Here’s everything you need to know about The Hundred format and rules.

What is The Hundred?

The Hundred is a professional franchise cricket tournament involving eight men’s and eight women’s teams from England and Wales. Both competitions run simultaneously, with the women’s and men’s matches played as double-headers at the same venue.

The format keeps many of the familiar elements of limited overs cricket but introduces a number of innovations to speed up the game and make it easier for new audiences.

Some key features include:

• 100 balls per innings
• one innings per team
• Match duration of approximately 2.5 hours
• strategic timeout
• five ball bowling set
• 25 ball powerplay
• Maximum 20 balls per bowler
• Top three teams qualify for playoffs

Also Read: The Hundred 2026 schedule: Full schedule, match dates, venues and IST timings

Why only 100 balls?

The ECB introduced the 100-ball format to create a shorter, faster version of cricket that could comfortably be finished in around two and a half hours.

Reducing each innings from 120 balls (T20) to 100 balls leads to more value on each delivery. Batsmen are encouraged to score quickly from the start, while bowlers have fewer opportunities to recover after expensive spells.

Although there had been discussion about switching to a traditional T20 format following new private investment in the tournament, the ECB has confirmed that the 100-ball format will remain unchanged for the current rights cycle.

Also Read: The Hundred Women 2026 Schedule: Full Schedule, Match Dates, Venues and IST Timings

How do overs work in a hundred?

The biggest difference between The Hundred and T20 cricket is the way the overs are bowled.

Instead of six-ball overs, The Hundred uses sets of five balls.

This is how it works:

• There are 100 balls in each innings.
• Bowlers can bowl either five consecutive balls or 10 consecutive balls.
• The captain decides whether the bowler will continue for the second five-ball set or not.
• Changes in the field end after every 10 balls instead of every over.
• A bowler cannot bowl more than 20 balls in an innings.

This structure allows captains more flexibility when using specialist bowlers against specialist batsmen.

powerplay rules

Every innings starts with a 25-ball powerplay. During this period, only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle and batsmen usually look to score maximum while fielding restrictions remain in place.

Once the first 25 balls have been bowled, normal fielding restrictions apply for the remainder of the innings.

bowling rules

The Hundred includes a number of unique bowling rules.

The main rules are:

• Each bowler can bowl a maximum of 20 balls (equivalent to four traditional overs).
• Bowlers can bowl five or 10 balls continuously.
• Teams change bowling ends after every 10 balls.
• Each bowling side gets a strategic timeout of 90 seconds during the innings.
• The penalty for slow over rate may result in the fielding side having to field one less fielder outside the circle for the remaining balls.

On a no-ball, an extra run and a free hit is awarded, like in T20 cricket.

drs rules

The Decision Review System (DRS) is available in The Hundred, which allows teams to challenge umpiring decisions on the field.

The captain or batsman can request a review for decisions such as LBW, caught behind, edge detection and other dismissals falling under the DRS protocol.

Reviews are decided using technologies including ball tracking, UltraEdge and Hawk-Eye, following ECB playing rules.

super over rules

Unlike most T20 competitions that use Super Overs, The Hundred uses Super 5 in knockout matches.

The key rules are:

• Each team faces five balls.
• The team batting second in the original match bats first in the Super 5.
• The innings ends with two wickets.
• If the score remains tied, subject to competition rules, another Super 5 is played until a winner is determined.

League-stage ties are not decided by the Super 5, with both teams sharing points.

How is The Hundred different from T20?

Also Read: The Hundred Teams and Squads 2026: Complete List of Players, Captain, Coach and Key Players