Eight teams from seven different cities have picked up three male and two female players each, for the month-long 100-balls-a-side tournament to be played in July/August 2020.

With each of the eight teams having a men’s and women’s side, England captain Heather Knight believes it will help keep the game on a level platform. “Kids growing up will look at The Hundred and see men and women level-pegging,” she told Sky Sports.

Her team-mate Kate Cross believes that The Hundred is an ideal platform for women to exhibit their game to a far-reaching audience, hailing the gender neutrality of the format. “It’s great that The Hundred is being launched as a men’s and women’s team. I think it’s the first competition that has done that,” she said.

Jofra Archer, who is enjoying a splendid debut summer for England, wants to wait for the tournament to take place before predicting anything [his Twitter feed aside], but expressed hope that the format will evolve into a big brand over the years.

“Very excited,” he said. “Whoever watches it, hope it inspires kids, teenagers. [It’s] something I am looking forward to, don’t know where it will go. No expectations for now but hopefully it can go a long, long way.”

Ever since its concept was revealed, The Hundred has been polarising opinion within the cricketing community, with questions raised over the need for a new format in a game that has three mainstream versions already. Jason Roy, however, feels that there’s no reason why the tournament can’t be a hit.

“We’ve got big names playing against each other. I don’t see why it can’t be a success. Bright colours, new format, a lot for us to learn as well. It’s going to be interesting to see how we adapt to a new format – you have to keep bettering yourself.

“Who knows, this format may go on for years, and find a way of succeeding.”