The Hundred and MLC prevent schedule clash in 2025 to avoid losing out on overseas players

The Hundred and Major League Cricket (MLC) are among the newest franchise leagues. While the former, run by the England Cricket Board (ECB), is a slightly different format than the rest, MLC was conceived to promote cricket in the United States of America (USA). It has completed two seasons so far. 

Though these two franchise tournaments are set to be played this year as well, there could also be issues of overlap that the administrators may face due to the number of T20 leagues and international tournaments being played. This year, the MLC is said to be scheduled somewhere around mid-June to mid-July and finish two weeks before the Hundred which is scheduled to start in early August. 

It is to be noted that the Caribbean Premier League could affect the availability of the West Indian cricketers as the finals of the MLC might overlap due to the long-delayed start of another upcoming new league, the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which will be hosted by Ireland, Netherlands, and Scotland.

Also Read: Wankhede Stadium scripts Guinness World Record while marking 50th anniversary

The Hundred will also look to avoid some fixture clash as well due to the England vs India Test series which will also be played around the same time. This is the reason the two leagues have decided to avoid overlap to make sure they can attract elite overseas players.

The last few seasons of The Hundred and MLC 

The Hundred started in 2021 when the Southern Brave became the inaugural champions beating the Birmingham Phoenix by 32 runs and was captained by James Vince. The Trent Rockets won the 2022 season while the last two seasons in 2023 and 2024 were won by the Oval Invincibles.

The MLC has had two seasons so far where MI New York emerged as the inaugural champions beating the Seattle Orcas by seven wickets and were led by West Indies star Nicholas Pooran. The last season was won by Washington Freedom who beat the San Francisco Unicorns by 96 runs.