Sport

Richard Thompson defends The Hundred schedule despite two-day Test turnaround

Herz — Sport Desk · 28 August 2026 at 11:29 · 30s summary · 2 min read

The essentials

England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson says the scheduling pressures created by The Hundred are a “price worth paying”. In 2026, its final is separated from England’s first Test against Pakistan by only two days. An international window was cleared in July and August so England players could represent their franchises. Stakes in the competition’s eight franchises raised more than £500 million in 2025, with proceeds distributed across professional and domestic cricket. Thompson says the tournament will not occupy more days, even if additional teams are introduced later.

Only two days separate the 2026 final from the first Pakistan Test.
July and August were cleared of international cricket for The Hundred.
The sale of stakes in eight franchises raised more than £500 million.
Thompson says the tournament will not take up additional days.

What we know

Richard Thompson, chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board, says the scheduling pressures caused by The Hundred are a “price worth paying”, according to the BBC.

The competition was introduced in 2021. In 2026, only two days separate its final from England’s first Test against Pakistan.

A window without international cricket was created in July and August, allowing England players to join their franchises during The Hundred.

England can no longer withdraw players from the competition to prepare for international matches. Fast bowler Josh Tongue described the arrangement as a “crazy schedule”.

Pressure on England’s domestic calendar

The Hundred adds to a crowded English domestic programme that also includes the County Championship, the T20 Blast and the One-Day Cup.

The One-Day Cup now runs alongside The Hundred and is often contested by teams largely made up of reserve players.

Thompson identified England, South Africa, India and Australia as the only countries to have created a calendar window capable of broadly securing cricket’s financial success.

More than £500 million raised

The 2025 sale of stakes in The Hundred’s eight franchises raised more than £500 million. The proceeds were distributed across professional and domestic cricket.

Some counties used the money to repay debt, while others invested it in infrastructure.

The ECB gave up part of its control to new owners and investors. More teams could be added in future, but Thompson says the competition will not occupy any additional days.

The 2026 winners

Manchester Super Giants won the men’s competition in 2026, while Trent Rockets won the women’s tournament.

Questions over the England team

Thompson said he was “hugely” disappointed that questions about the professionalism of England’s men’s team continued to arise.

Brydon Carse was left out of England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan after being briefly arrested while with Durham. He had been suspected of being drunk and disorderly.

Carse was subsequently no longer under arrest, but the police investigation remains open. A separate investigation by the Cricket Regulator is also continuing.

Images posted on social media showed him in handcuffs and surrounded by police officers.

Thompson said England internationals are held to higher standards and that wearing the three lions carries expectations of respect, responsibility and pride.