The Hundred Women's Competition (England) 2023/24

The Hundred Women's Competition is a professional, franchise-based cricket tournament founded in 2021 by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Situated parallel to the traditional county domestic pyramid, it operates as a distinct entity without promotion or relegation. The competition features eight city-based teams, including the Northern Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, and Manchester Originals, which compete as permanent franchises rather than county sides.

The defining characteristic of the event is its unique 100-ball format, where each side faces exactly 100 balls per innings. This structure ensures matches last approximately two and a half hours. Bowlers deliver in sets of five or ten consecutive balls, replacing the traditional six-ball over. A maximum of five fielders are permitted on the leg side for the first 25 balls of the innings, and a strategic time-out is available to each team. The season begins with a round-robin league stage where each team plays eight matches. This is followed by a knockout phase comprising an Eliminator and a Final to decide the champion.

Oval Invincibles established themselves as the most successful team early in the competition's history, winning the inaugural titles in 2021 and 2022. In 2025, Northern Superchargers claimed their first championship by defeating Southern Brave. The ownership structure underwent a significant shift in late 2024 when the ECB sold its 49% stake in the franchises to private investors. Entities linked to the Ambani family, Todd Boehly, and the Sun Group acquired stakes in various teams, moving the model toward private equity while host counties retained minority interests.

The tournament utilises a player draft system that allows for the inclusion of international stars alongside domestic talent. This approach distinguishes it from other domestic competitions such as the T20 Blast. The competition was temporarily titled the "Cazoo Hundred" during its first two seasons due to sponsorship but reverted to "The Hundred" in 2023. The format remains a singular experiment in limited-overs cricket within England, designed to attract new audiences through its condensed schedule and innovative rules.