As The Hundred prepares to return to Lord's on Tuesday, 5th August, seeing the men and women of London Spirit and Oval Invincibles go head-to-head, respectively, former England fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom has weighed in on the format's future and the unique challenge of its infamous 10-ball overs.

Sidebottom, known for his swing bowling and high-pressure spells in traditional six-ball formats, shared a mix of curiosity and concern when asked how he'd have fared bowling ten consecutive deliveries.

"It's different, isn't it? It's still all very new. We don't play The Hundred anywhere else in the world," he exclusively told BoyleSports.

The Hundred, launched in 2021, was designed to attract new audiences to cricket with a simplified format and faster pace. But for Sidebottom, the innovation still raises fundamental questions about the sport's direction.

placeholder image — Ryan Sidebottom - Credit: Getty

"This isn't to discourage The Hundred, but will it last in terms of whether 10 balls fit in with cricket and how cricket's been played for hundreds of years?"

The global franchise landscape looms large in his assessment. With T20 leagues like the IPL gaining traction worldwide, and new markets such as the US and Saudi Arabia showing serious interest, Sidebottom questions how, or if, The Hundred can compete for long-term relevance.

"You look at the T20 Blast, the IPL, the franchise cricket, how it's growing globally. It'll probably end up going to America, the IPL, and you look at how Saudi Arabia now are matching other leading nations on the football front. I'm sure the IPL will have high hopes and views of taking it to Saudi eventually where it may benefit more financially.

"So I think it's only going to get bigger and better. Where does The Hundred fit into all of that? And bowling 10-ball overs, will that be sustainable? I'm not quite sure."

Still, Sidebottom acknowledged The Hundred's clear success in promoting the women's game and increasing visibility through terrestrial TV coverage - something he called "wonderful".

"Of course, look, it's been on terrestrial TV. It's certainly grown the women's game. You've got younger girls taking up the sport. It's growing at a rapid rate, which is wonderful."

But with the rise of women's franchise tournaments, Sidebottom reiterated the challenge of maintaining The Hundred's place on an increasingly congested calendar.

"Where does it fit in, in terms of the men's game and how, with all this franchise cricket and the women's game as well - now the women's IPL - where does The Hundred fit, especially with the schedule? How's it going to fit in with everything else? It's time to maybe look at that."

And what of the 10-ball over itself? For Sidebottom, it's a brave call - and not one he's fully sold on from a bowler's perspective.

"Ten ball overs. Wow. I mean, if you bowl a good over, you're happy with that. You go down to fine leg.

"So with the bowling, if the captain asks you to come on again or carry on... I'm not sure I'd enjoy that, that much. I want to rest and then go again!"