Love it or hate it – the ECB’s flagship limited overs competition is back on our screens for a full summer of cricket. The Hundred begins on Tuesday with a double header from Trent Bridge. We’ve previewed the mens match and given you our best bets.

The Hundred starts off its third season with possibly the showpiece fixture of the event.

Last year’s winners Trent Rockets take on the inaugural winners Southern Brave, as the English cricketing summer is dominated by the new look competition.

The Ashes have finished, meaning even the most high profile of England cricketers can partake in the Hundred for the duration of the tournament.

This tournament has many detractors and it remains to be seen whether this will be the last time we see the 100-ball format but for now, let’s buckle up and enjoy another slogathon.

Team news:

Trent Rockets(from) – Joe Root, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rashid Khan, Dawid Malan, Alex Hales, Lewis Gregory, Luke Wood, Colin Munro, Sam Cook, Daniel Sams, Samit Patel, Sam Hain, Brad Wheal, Matt Carter, Tom Moores, John Turner

Southern Brave(from) – Jofra Archer, Tim David, Leus du Plooy, James Vince, Chris Jordan, Devon Conway, Tymal Mills, Rehan Ahmed, Craig Overton, Finn Allen, George Garton, James Fuller, Alex Davies, Joe Weatherley, Jafer Chohan, Matt Fisher

Trent Rockets highest opening partnership – 10/11

The Trent Rockets batting line up looks stronger than ever, with the likes of Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Joe Root at the top of the order.

The form of Malan and Hales will be crucial to whether the Nottingham based side can defend their title and at 10/11, they look a good bet to outscore their Southern Brave counter parts.

Dawid Malan top Trent Rockets run scorer – 10/3

The England opener was the leading scorer in this competition last year with 377 runs, displaying the type of form that led him to the #1 batter in the world in T20’s a few years ago. His game is made for this competition and he was also in the top six run scorers in 2021.

It should be between Hales and Malan for top scoring duties for the Rockets but I’m going for the proven ability and know how of the Yorkshire player.