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The Lancashire captain Dane Vilas was picked up by the Old Trafford franchise Manchester Originals in October, signing up with global stars such as Rashid Khan, Andre Russell, David Warner, and Steve Smith in the ₤125,000 bracket.
The South African was anticipated to be named as captain given his management experience with the Red Rose county, but such planning has been put on the back burner with no certainty over when or if the campaign will get underway.
The coronavirus lockdown means no cricket will be played until at least May 28, and a board meeting of the England and Wales Cricket Board on Thursday could bring further delays.
The Hundred was developed to bring a fresh audience to the sport in the ground along with on tv. The idea of a curtailed or fan-free launch is not an attractive one, and the ECB is considering postponement for a year.
“I think for all the work that has gone into The Hundred, it needs to be a showpiece,” Vilas said.
“That’s what the ECB wants and needs it to be. The timing is unfortunate, and of course, it is tough and disappointing for the players.”
Dane Vilas says The Hundred is about building a fan base and should not be played without fans.
“But The Hundred was about targeting a new fanbase, that was the take: bring different people, some new people, and it’s important that fans can actually come and see the cricket.”
“There’s no better way to experience the joy and get into it than by watching live. To get the competition up and running, you need to make the best of that.”
Another issue should organizers wish to proceed this year would be the A-list overseas names who have registered to lend their star power. It is unclear whether such global travel would be possible, acceptable to those involved or agreed by their home boards, and withdrawals would be highly likely.
“I think that would be difficult,” stated Vilas, who may be reclassified as an import next season given post-Brexit changes to his Kolpak status.
“You’ve got some great players signed up who would be available in normal circumstances, and without them, it’s tough. We know from the Vitality Blast at Lancashire that players like James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell are a huge success. They draw crowds.”
