Liam Livingstone insists ‘unbelievable’ Hundred has inspired the next generation

Liam Livingstone has talked up the success of The Hundred before the competition reaches its climax on Saturday with his team the Birmingham Phoenix favourites to win

Liam Livingstone thinks The Hundred has been a huge success in terms of attracting a younger crowd to the game of cricket. Livingstone said that he hoped his own explosive play in the tournament had helped that fact.

His team, the Birmingham Phoenix, have dominated the competition even after captain and talisman Moeen Ali was called up for England Test duty. Livingstone has performed admirably in his role as stand-in skipper. Phoenix take on Southern Brave on Saturday to take home the trophy after the Brave thrashed Trent Rockets in Friday night’s eliminator.

Livingstone sealed Phoenix’s place in the marquee match with a thrilling display against the Northern Superchargers on Tuesday, scoring 92 runs off just 40 deliveries. He has hit the most sixes in the tournament, clearing the rope an impressive 23 times.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Livingstone talked up the way in which the new format has brought new demographics to cricket and hopes that can continue in the future.

The 28-year-old told Sky Sports : “The biggest thing is the amount of young kids wearing their team’s shirts and that there are young girls and families, which we don’t usually see at T20 Blast games.

“The average age of the crowd is much lower than we have seen before. I guess that was the point of The Hundred – to inspire a new generation to take up cricket.

“From what I’ve seen and from the people I have spoken to, there is a lot more interest in cricket than there was before the tournament.

“The final is a one-off game but what you can’t take away from us is the fact we have had a great tournament.

“We have entertained lots of crowds, which is ultimately what we wanted to do. Hopefully we have inspired some youngsters to want to go out and slog a few sixes.

“The tournament has got bigger and stronger and I can only see it getting even bigger and better from here.

“The standard of cricket has been unbelievable and there are going to be a lot of high-profile overseas players available next year.”

The men’s final between Livingstone’s Birmingham Phoenix and Southern Brave will take place after the women’s event, which is being contested by Oval Invincibles and the Brave.