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The Hundred kicks off as mascots Carl and Aleksandr make a visit to '10 Downing Street'

The Hundred, the annual 100-ball cricket extravaganza, gets underway today with the opening match of the month-long tournament, as Oval Invincibles take on Birmingham Phoenix

[Sponsors, Compare the Market, mark the start of the event outside what looks like 10 Downing Street]

Sponsors, Compare the Market, mark the start of the event outside what looks like 10 Downing Street(Image: SWNS)

The annual 100-ball cricket extravaganza, The Hundred, kicks off today at the Kia Oval with Oval Invincibles taking on Birmingham Phoenix in the opening match of the month-long tournament.

The competition, a double-header of men's and women's matches from teams all over England and Wales, will wrap up on Sunday, August 18 when the champions will be declared.

To mark the beginning of the tournament, which was first introduced in 2021, Compare the Market mascots Carl and Aleksandr made a surprise appearance outside a location remarkably similar to 10 Downing Street.

In the previous year, Southern Brave bagged the women's title while Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in the men's category.

Oval Invincibles, strengthened by the inclusion of Dawid Malan, are predicted to hold onto their men's title.

[Aleksandr joins fellow mascot Carl ]

Aleksandr joins fellow mascot Carl (Image: SWNS)

Malan, who was the highest run scorer in The Hundred two years ago and has averaged 42.00 from 12 innings in this year's T20 Blast, joins an already powerful top order featuring Will Jacks, Donovan Ferreira and Sam Billings.

Their bowling squad is equally formidable, boasting Australian Spencer Johnson, spinners Adam Zampa and Nathan Sowter, and all-rounders Tom and Sam Curran.

In the women's contest, last year's champions Southern Brave are also tipped to repeat their triumph. Their star-studded team features England's Danni Wyatt, who was the top run-scorer in The Hundred in 2023 with 295 runs.

Other stars include batter Maia Bouchier, opening bowler Lauren Bell, and all-rounder, Georgia Adams.

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