Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner

I am looking forward to seeing how the players adapt to the new format - in particular, seeing how the tactics play out with bowlers able to bowl five balls or 10 balls in a row.

The first couple of games will be a feeling out process, but there are some big-name coaches and captains.

It won't take them long to find their own style which suits their side.

Everyone says Twenty20 is all about batting but history tells me the sides with the best bowling unit will win.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing? Which team are you rooting for? Or is there a side which will surprise us all?

We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch by texting 81111 (standard message rates apply) or using #bbccricket on Twitter.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport The Oval

The BBC commentary box has been kitted out especially for this game. You may spot Michael Vaughan keeping an eye on proceedings.

The TV guys will be live on BBC Two from 18:00 BST.

One of the best things about this competition is that 18 games will be shown live on BBC TV and iPlayer.

I remember being a five-year-old boy and watching the likes of Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram or England's Ian Botham playing for their counties or international cricket live on BBC.

I was mesmerised by how fast they could bowl or how hard they cold hit the ball. I'd spend evening after evening in the garden, mimicking these new heroes of mine.

There was a time when my dad made me take a box of chocolate to my neighbours to apologise for the number of tennis balls I'd whacked over the garden fence.

With The Hundred being shown on free-to-air TV, it will hopefully inspire young boys and girls join their local club or play for fun with friends.

We've just had a discussion in the office and have decided Matt needs to update that picture next to his name. He's no longer as fresh faced as he looks there. Sort it out, Matt.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at The Oval

They couldn’t have asked for a better night for it. The Oval is set for a bit of history and the crowd is starting to creep in.

It's time to here from our man at the The Oval, Matt Henry, who will be bringing us updates throughout the evening.

The Hundred is still cricket but just with a little twist.

There are eight city-based teams - London Spirit, Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, Welsh Fire, Birmingham Phoenix, Trent Rockets, Manchester Originals and Northern Superchargers - with each having picked two squads of 15 domestic and international players - one men's and one women's.

Each team will bat for 100 balls and attempt to score as many runs as possible.

The biggest change to current forms of cricket is each 100-ball innings is essentially split into 20 five-ball overs.

Pretty simple, right?

Image source, BBC Sport

Good evening!

After years of planning - and 12 months later than originally planned - the sport of cricket welcomes a brand new format.

The first match of the competition - a women's fixture between Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals from the Kia Oval in London - will be live on BBC Two at 18:00 BST.

We'll also have live text, in-play clips and radio commentary.

So tell you friends, tell your family and you can even tell your foes... The Hundred has landed.

A historic day for cricket.

Image source, The Hundred