ECB receive unlikely ally over The Hundred in the shape of KP

The former England batsman, who rarely saw eye to eye with the governing body during his illustrious international playing career, tweeted his backing for the competition on Thursday

pietersen260701

Kevin Pietersen has backed plans for The Hundred

Kevin Pietersen has lent his support to the ECB over their plans for The Hundred, saying the concept has an opportunity to be "engaging".

The former England batsman, who rarely saw eye to eye with the governing body during much of his illustrious international playing career, tweeted his backing for the competition on Thursday.

Both the format of The Hundred and its name have yet to be finalised by the ECB, but a series of media reports leaking possible options for its stucture, which have been discussed by a working party, have not gone down well with many existing cricket fans.

Pietersen, however, has emerged as an unlikely ally of the tournament. And he had some choice words for its critics in the media.

He tweeted: "Been watching closely the articles about The 100 Ball invention by the ECB. I think they have a chance in being different & creating something which is engaging! Negativity will come from media who don’t even like T20 & anyway, who cares about those pricks!"

Pietersen, who knows the power of national TV exposure having been part of the Ashes victory broadcast on Channel Four in 2005, pointed out that the return of cricket to terrestrial television is a major plus for The Hundred.

"The best thing about The 100 ball gig, is the free to air," he wrote.

"We played the last series on free to air and had up to 12mill peaking. Cricket was flying! To make cricket in England fly again, it needs free to air!"

Comments

No comments received yet - Be the first!

LATEST NEWS

STAY UP TO DATE Sign up to our newsletter...
SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!

Units 7-8, 35-37 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, LE128PY

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.