In the midst of ongoing speculation regarding the future of The Hundred, English cricket's star, Jos Buttler, has voiced his strong support for the tournament. Buttler, who also captains England's limited-overs team, emphasized the significance of The Hundred as a vital element in the country's cricket landscape.
Buttler expressed his belief in the tournament's potential to shape the future of English domestic cricket. His influence and insight into the cricket world render his opinion crucial in discussions surrounding the tournament. He proposed that England should aspire to have "the second-best domestic tournament in the world," following the footsteps of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"I know it's complicated in England," he acknowledged. "We have the county system, which has been fantastic for so long, but with the direction of travel in the game I do feel The Hundred is a huge part of our future in England," he said while peaking to The Times Newspaper.
"Whether that's a hundred balls or T20 or whatever it is, I think we need to have the second-best domestic tournament in the world," Buttler asserted.
The Hundred, despite its unique format and the debates it has sparked, provides a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills at the highest level. Buttler highlighted how the tournament's concentration of talent and matches played at international venues, often in front of enthusiastic crowds, provide a valuable experience that mirrors international cricket.
The Surrey fast bowler, Gus Atkinson, is a testament to The Hundred's potential impact. His impressive performances for Oval Invincibles in the tournament earned him a spot in England's provisional World Cup squad. The visibility and intensity of The Hundred seem to create a pathway for young players to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.
Buttler compared The Hundred's role to that of the IPL in India, noting that success in such franchise-based tournaments often serves as a stepping stone to international cricket. "If you can perform there, you can make the step up into international cricket. We see young Indian players make that transition very easily," he said.
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