The Hundred increases pressure to perform for female cricketers, research reveals

Contracts and playing experience affect the levels of anxiety felt by elite women cricketers participating in The Hundred tournament, according to new research from Manchester Metropolitan University. 

Those without a professional contract who had not previously played in The Hundred were less concerned about performing poorly, whereas professional players new to the format feel greater pressure to achieve. 

Worry and anxiety were also higher in cricketers that had played more than 10 matches who had not received a professional contract, reflecting concerns about their future playing status and career. 

The research, published in PLOS ONE, was conducted by English international cricketer Kate Cross with researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport. 

Cross, who has more than 70 caps for England and was the first woman to be given a place in Lancashire’s academy, worked with university researchers to survey 71 elite female cricketers playing during the 2021–2022 season. 49 of these held professional contracts and 22 had yet to sign a professional contract. 

Cross, who graduated from the Master of Sport Directorship at Manchester Met in 2023, said: “Our research has important implications for this development of elite women cricketers. 

“Our findings highlight the need for different support for players throughout their development and career progression and indicates that they would benefit from non-cognitive skills training.  

“These types of provision will help players deal with the demands of elite cricket, which is especially important in light of the increased investment and professionalisation of the women’s game.” 

The Hundred was introduced in 2021 and is a 100-ball cricket tournament involving teams in major cities across England and Wales. 

Men’s and women’s matches take place back-to-back at the same venue on the same day. The men’s salaries are four times higher than the women’s, while the tournament prize money is split equally.  

Earlier this year, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a new structure for women’s domestic cricket. From 2025 a new three-tier model will see eight counties granted ‘Tier 1’ status with increased investment in the women’s game. 

Mark Batey, Reader in Innovation and Creativity and Director of the Master of Sport Directorship at Manchester Met, said: “Our research shows that contract type and playing experience had a significant impact on performance concerns of women cricketers taking part in The Hundred.  

“In the case of professional cricketers, their status created initial pressures, which eases as the number of games increased. However, for players without a professional contract, they experienced the exact opposite, with performance concerns and anxiety increasing as they played more matches.”