The Hundred Blaze
The Hundred Blaze 2023 took place on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st August at Newham Cricket Club featuring 6 teams. This competition gives young people/young adults the opportunity to take part in competitive 100 ball cricket whilst representing their, or their families’, country of origin. Celebrating diversity and bringing communities together is at the heart of the competition.
The competition kicked off with the 2022 defending champions India taking on Afghanistan and Bangladesh taking on the BTCL. The 6 teams played in 2 different groups with the winners and runners up going through to the semi final. Here are the results from the group stages.
The first Semi Final saw India scoring 144 from their 100 balls. Bangladesh got off to a flyer with their top order all contributing and taking the game to the last 30 balls. At one point Bangladesh needed 45 off 30 balls, however, smart bowling from India saw them take quick wickets toward the end of the innings which left Bangladesh 24 runs short.
The 2nd Semi Final between ACE programme and the BTCL was a high scoring thriller with the ACE programme putting on 178 from their 100 balls followed by taking 2 wickets in the first over. The early wickets kept falling but some resistance from the middle order took the BTCL team to 136.
ACE programme playing their first final at the Hundred Blaze against defending champion India. Putting India into bat first the ACE programme bowlers took regular wickets to keep the score in check but small contributions from the batters took India to a score of 127. India fought back by bowling tight and taking wickets but some power hitting from Jordan scoring a quick 34 saw the ACE programme home. Jordan received player of the match for this knock. Nathan from the ACE programme also received player of the tournament scoring 160 runs and taking 5 wickets.
Congratulations to the ACE programme for winning the tournament and thanks to all the teams for participating. We would like to thank all the sponsors for supporting this event.
Gallery of The Hundred Blaze 2023
