The opening game of the 2022 edition of The Hundred was delayed by seven minutes, with smoke from the pre-match fireworks preventing play from getting underway.

The men’s clash between Southern Brave, champions in 2021, and Welsh Fire was originally set to get underway at 7pm, but began at 7.07pm, with the BBC’s commentators describing it as “like a sandstorm” and “like a scene out of a Christopher Nolan film”.

An array of pyrotechnic devices was set off as part of the planned entertainment before the game. Green and pink smoke soon covered the playing area, with the BBC commentary trio of Isa Guha, James Anderson and Moeen Ali straining to be heard over the sound of the explosions.

“We’re here for the real fireworks, and that’s fours and sixes,” quipped Moeen, before Guha raised the first concern that play would be delayed: “I’m not sure the players are going to be able to see out in the middle.”

“It looks like a sandstorm at the minute,” added Moeen. “Hopefully in the next five minutes it will clear up.”

With the players ready to enter on the boundary, the smoke lingered.

“It doesn’t look like a cricket ground,” said BBC commentator Aatif Nawaz. “It looks like a scene out of a Christopher Nolan film at the moment. It is quite foggy, but hopefully it will clear up quite soon.”

Eventually, the smoke cleared and play was able to begin, seven minutes behind schedule. Welsh Fire, having been inserted, put up 107-7 from their 100 balls, Ben Duckett top-scoring with 40.

To bet on The Hundred head to bet365. You can get last year’s winners:

Southern Brave Men @ 3/1 to win
Oval Invincibles Women @ 4/1 to win