Discover how The Hundred revolutionised women’s cricket, from record crowds to professional contracts and increased media coverage and grassroots impact. With insight from England and Southern Brave star and Gray-Nicolls athlete Maia Bouchier.
A New Era in Women’s Cricket
As with many sports, women’s cricket has long had to live in the shadow of its male counterpart. There have been moments in the sun. The World Cup Final of 2017 in front of a full house at Lord’s was not just England being crowned as World Champions; it was a sign of what was possible in women’s cricket. If you build it, they will come.
Bigger Crowds, Louder Cheers
It wasn’t until four years after that balmy afternoon at the Home of Cricket when England thrillingly beat India that women’s cricket would receive the same level of attention. And even then it was a happy accident.
The pandemic and the requirement for covid-secure bubbles meant the inaugural season of The Hundred took place with double header fixtures – a women’s game happening on the same day and venue as the men.
And so on July 21st 2021, Oval Invincibles took on Manchester Originals at The Oval in front of 7,395 fans.
Prime-Time Coverage
The double-header format gave the women’s the exposure it needed. The quality of cricket had been on the rise for years previously, but without the platform to present it, the difficulty of growing was nearly insurmountable.
Now, The Hundred gave a daily television platform on Sky Sports and free-to-air on the BBC. Not just that but some women’s matches took priority over the men’s match for prime-time billing.
And for good reason too; many of the women’s match were absolute thrillers, and the tournament was blessed with a myriad of overseas stars from around the world. Dane van Nierkerk, Deandre Dottin, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur and Amanda Jade Wellington joined England stars such as Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley and Heather Knight.
“Recently, it feels like the women's game has gained real momentum” said Bouchier. “The games are played in big stadiums, shown on prime-time TV and more people are talking about it, showing genuine interest.”
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Levelling the Professional Playing Field
Contracts and Career Paths
The Hundred not only gave women the eyeballs to showcase their ability, it gave more female cricketers the chance to make a career from the game they loved.
Salaries for The Hundred ranged from £3,600 to £15,000. Although this was a positive step, the ECB were met with criticism due to the disparity in men’s and women’s pay (men’s payments for the 2021 edition ranged from £30,000 to £125,000).
Nearly half a decade later, the salaries for females have increased. The minimum payment for a woman is now £28,000, the same as their male counterparts.
“The level of skill and competition is being recognised more widely, and there’s a growing sense that it deserves equal space and attention. It finally feels like it’s being seen for what it is - exciting, talented, and worth investing in” continued Bouchier
Role Models and Rising Stars
Inspiring the Next Generation
One of the great successes of The Hundred has been in inspiring the next generation of cricketers, particularly in the women’s game. With more young kids in attendance than ever before, girls are being inspired by their new heroes.
And the volume of these heroes is growing all the time. While the established stars of the women’s game have performed like the superstars they are, more players have made their stamp on the tournament through their stunning performances.
The likes of Bouchier, Rhianna Southby and Ellie Threlkeld have taken the format by storm, drawing global acclaim for their game-changing performances.
“It has really helped raise the standard of cricket by giving young domestic players the chance to play alongside top international stars, as well as making the sport feel more professional and respected” Maia said.
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A Defining Moment in Sport
As we begin the 2025 edition of The Hundred, the women’s side of the tournament is ready to take the next step forward. Competition for the title is fiercer than ever, and the level of the players involved has stepped up a notch once again.
From a standing start, The Hundred has taken women’s cricket from sub-category to main event, and its leading protagonists have become household names.
In a sporting landscape where legacy is a key performance indicator, The Hundred’s impact can be deemed a huge success.
“Personally, I’ve seen how it’s inspired more girls to take up cricket and shown that women’s sport deserves equal attention” Maia concluded. “While there’s still progress to be made, The Hundred has set a new standard for what women’s cricket can look like when it’s properly supported.”
Product to Match
Gray-Nicolls launched the GEM collection before The Hundred began, identifying a need in the market to enable women to maximise their potential through their equipment.
Maia on the Gray-Nicolls GEM: "The GEM range represents more than just another range of bats and protective gear. It is a statement that women’s cricket deserves equipment designed for their bodies and playing styles. The bats, gloves, and pads are lighter, better balanced, and shaped to suit every individual, which will only improve comfort and help the players perform at the highest level.
"Over the last few years, the GEM range’s endorsement by professional women cricketers has helped raise awareness and the acceptance of female-specific gear, which will only support greater participation and professionalism in women’s cricket."
Read Next: Why we created the GEM collection for women
