Manchester Originals recruit, Mignon du Preez, says she can’t wait for The Hundred to get underway in 2021 and while she is disappointment at its postponement this year, she understands and supports the decision.
The Momentum Proteas stalwart’s comments come after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the postponement of the inaugural edition of The Hundred competition due to the current global Coronavirus pandemic.
Du Preez is one of a host of Momentum Proteas players signed up to play in The Hundred, including captain, Dane van Niekerk (Oval Invincibles), top order batter, Lizelle Lee (Manchester Originals), and all-rounders, Marizanne Kapp (Oval Invincibles) and Chloe Tryon (Oval Invincibles).
Chatting to gsport, du Preez said, “I’m devastated that we won’t get to play in the Hundred competition this year as I was super excited about this new format. However, I completely understand that something like the Covid-19 pandemic was unexpected and I appreciate the fact that the ECB and FICA are putting players and management’s health and safety first. Now we just have to wait a little longer for the exciting format to launch in 2021…I can’t wait!!!”
Announcing the postponement, ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, commented,
“The Hundred will go ahead in 2021 when we are safely able to deliver everything, we intended to help grow the game.” – ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison
“The situation we find ourselves in as a country means that delivery of The Hundred will not be possible this summer. Whilst we are naturally disappointed that we won’t get to realise our ambitions this year, The Hundred will go ahead in 2021 when we are safely able to deliver everything, we intended to help grow the game.”
“As we emerge from the fallout of COVID-19, there will be an even greater need for The Hundred. Our survival as a game, long-term, will be dependent on our ability to recover financially and continue our ambition to build on cricket’s growing fan base. That need has not gone anyway, if anything, it is now more critical.”
“The Hundred will create millions in revenues for the game, through hosting fees, hospitality and ticket sales, as well as delivering £25m in annual financial distributions to all First-Class Counties and MCC. Its role in driving participation alongside supporting the development of the women’s game will be material in generating take-up of our game across country-wide communities.’’
“The Hundred is an important element of the game’s Inspiring Generations strategy, which has been debated and agreed upon across the whole game. While financially, our plans may be impacted, our ambition, ‘to inspire a generation’ should in no way be diluted.’’
“We would like to thank our broadcast partners, for their extraordinary commitment and support to get The Hundred to this point and our commercial partners for their ongoing support. We very much look forward to working with them as we build to the 2021 launch.”
Photo 1 Caption: The postponement of The Hundred competition has had an impact on the South African cricketers who were gearing up to feature at the global showpiece. Momentum Proteas captain Dané van Niekerk, Mignon du Preez, Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp and Lizelle Lee will have to wait until 2021 to take part in the competition. Photo: Cricket South Africa
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