The Hundred Men: MCC to discuss changes for London Spirit franchise for 2026 season

The Hundred franchise league was started in 2021 by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with both Men's and Women's. It is a new format with a different set of rules where an innings ends after 100 balls. The teams are the same in both Men's and Women's formats. The 2025 edition is supposed to begin in August. 

One of the teams that is making the headlines is the London Spirit which is supposed to be the franchise representing London and play their home games at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. The team is now being run by a joint venture between Maleybone Cricket Club (MCC) and Cricket Investor Holdings Limited. Both parties had opened up to discuss the changes in the franchise including the team kits and the name as disclosed by MCC chair Mark Nicholas.

“We already have a very good understanding of our respective positions on most of the important matters which will govern our partnership," Nicholas said in a letter to members on Friday as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

“Both parties have maintained an open mind on whether or not to continue with the London Spirit name, There are advantages in using the name of the club, MCC; the name of the ground, Lord's; and the name of our home city, London; the latter may give us the greatest traction as we look to grow the franchise and its brand," Nicholas added.

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The London Spirit have been donning colours of blue and white for the last four seasons but it seems like the MCC and the consortium will now be leading towards using the classic MCC colours of Red and Yellow from the next season in 2026. Which was revealed by Nicholas himself.

“Team colours have also been the subject of discussion and we are leaning towards using MCC colours in the livery. On both name and kit, we will take decisions alongside our new partners. It should be pointed out also that these decisions will need ECB approval, Nicholas said.

Speaking of the London Spirit team's performance in the Hundred Men’s they have not yet won a single title so far. The best tournament for the Spirit was in 2022 where they finished third on the table and lost the eliminator to the Manchester Originals.