Sophie Ecclestone

England’s Sophie Ecclestone hailed the decision to kick of the inaugural Hundred with a women’s game as a “massive” moment for the sport. The Kia Oval will host the opening game on July 21, with the Oval Invincibles taking on the Manchester Originals. It will be the first time a major UK team sporting event has headlined with a women’s match.

Australian downpours threatened to overshadow England Women’s T20 World Cup last year, but even a damp squib semi-final couldn’t lessen Sophie Ecclestone’s impact on the tournament. Emerging as the world’s No 1 bowler, the first Englishwoman to hold that title since Anya Shrubsole, it might have been a daunting tag...