CRICKET

Vitality Blast handed boost by global stars and rising ticket sales

T20 competition has struggled to find its place in cricketing landscape after introduction of the Hundred but is showing signs it can reclaim status as country’s premier tournament
James Vince lifts the trophy to celebrate Hampshire’s Blast success in 2022
James Vince lifts the trophy to celebrate Hampshire’s Blast success in 2022
HARRY TRUMP/GETTY IMAGES

Rewind to pre-pandemic times and it was the Vitality Blast that was the premier domestic tournament, with almost a million tickets sold in 2019. The group games were played at the height of summer and Finals Day at Edgbaston was the highlight of the domestic calendar.

With the ECB finally able to launch the Hundred, its much hyped flagship tournament, in 2021, the Blast has been left trying to find its place in the country’s cricketing landscape. It is still well loved and has a loyal following, but it has suffered from being forced to start in May, when the football season is reaching its finale, and fewer matches have been televised.

Last year sales for the Blast suffered badly from the tournament starting too