I'm Not Sure This Lord Would Sugar Coat His Verdict...

One hesitates to be too picky about the ECB’s launch of The Hundred because it was very kind of Her Majesty’s Cricket Press to be invited.

But only for a moment. Indeed, if someone was inclined to be as rude as certain aspects of the presentation invited, they might feel that, were this an episode of The Apprentice, the most likely outcome would be that those making it would have been back in the boardroom by now and feeling the lash of Lord Sugar’s eyebrows.

Picture the scene:

“Who was the project manager?” asks Lord Sugar.

“Err, that would be him, Lord Sugah,” says Tom Harrison (ECB chief executive), pointing at Sanjay Patel, (managing director, The Hundred).

“Err, actually that would be him, Lord Sugaah,” says Sanjay Patel (managing director, The Hundred) pointing at Tom Harrison (ECB chief executive).

“Make up your b****y minds. Whoever it was, good team leader?”

Nervous clearing of throats.

“I see. Right then, who chose the colour scheme? (For those yet to experience it, a neon green and neon pink combo which, when it hits our TV screens next summer, will necessitate the same type of warning that accompanies strobe-lighting and flashing images.

Nervous shuffling of feet ... faint whistling from Ashley Giles, managing director, England Cricket as he edges towards the exit door.

“I’d just like to make it clear I’m not a marketing man,” says Giles. “Clowns and circus acts are not my business.”

“Son, I share your pain. Frankly, Ashley I’m struggling to see what you did on this task.”

“Me, too, Lord Sugaaah.”

Suppressed laughter from Patel, Harrison and Beth Barrett-Wild, (head of The Hundred women’s competition).