Somerset need to be 'Hundred-ready', says CEO

Former Somerset captain Jamie Cox became chief executive at the end of 2023

Somerset need to make themselves "Hundred-ready" says the county's chief executive Jamie Cox in case the competition expands.

The Hundred is currently made up of eight franchises and in February director of business operation of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Vikram Banerjee, said expansion is a "no brainer" if the tournament continues to grow.

Cox, who has been chief executive at the west country county since December 2023, said while entering the Hundred is not necessarily the end-goal, the club want to be at the front of the conversation regardless.

"Part of our goal is to make ourselves what we call Hundred-ready," Cox told BBC Points West.

"That's not to say that we'll endeavour to do whatever we can to get in but we need to make sure that if the opportunity comes we're right at the front of that conversation, so we can make the call at the right time."

The Hundred launched in 2021 and in February the ECB oversaw the sale of the eight teams to private investors, which had a collective value of over £975m and bringing in around £520m to be split across the game in this country.

The eight-week exclusivity period to complete the sales was extended this week.

The ECB's broadcast deal with Sky for the competition runs until the end of 2028 and no further teams will be added before then.

Yet former Somerset captain Cox - who was previously director of cricket operations at Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord's said the 100-ball competition is "transforming" the sport and Somerset needs to find its place within that.

"It's sort of well known with the prospects of the Hundred sale that the game is transforming, it's moving and we've got to figure out what's our role in that," Cox said.

"We're in a good spot, we've been a competitive and successful county and a real cricket county so what's our role in the future?

"We've got an opportunity to figure out what that is because it's really important that we make some good decisions for what's ahead."

'A true south west team'

The County Ground has a capacity of 8,500 which can be increased to 12,500 currently

Of the current franchises, seven in England and one in Wales, there is none in the south west, with Southern Brave in Southampton and Welsh Fire in Cardiff the nearest.

"We're very aware there's a lot of people very proud of the club in the region. Our challenge is to make sure we represent not only the local community but to spread our reach into the south west and make sure we really are a true south west team," Cox said.

"We've got some good ties and connections down there because the four million or so that live south from Bristol this is their team and we want them to feel that way."

The club's home County Ground in Taunton is not a Test venue but has hosted international matches and at 8,500 capacity, increased to 12,500 if needed, Cox said they have "aesthetic work" to do to prepare the venue for any Hundred possible expansion.

"We've got a little bit of work to do to improve our capacity, improve our member comfort - our fans comfort - and just make this a destination of choice," Cox said.

"People have always loved coming to watch the cricket here and our goal is to let a few more in and make it a real comfortable experience."