Hundred will help England's bid to retain World Cup - Joe Root

[Torrent Disney]

Joe Root has insisted that the introduction of the Hundred will help England in their bid to retain the World Cup in 2023.

Some have suggested that the new competition will reduce England's competitiveness in ODI cricket as their leading white-ball players will no longer be available for the domestic 50-over tournament, which is scheduled at the same time as the Hundred.

But Root feels the benefits of exposing young English players to some of the best overseas players in the world will outweigh any such issues.

"By playing the Hundred, you're exposing our next generation of players to play against some of the best players in the world," Root told ESPNcricinfo. "Regardless of the format that will be more influential and have more of an impact.

"Look at the guys in the current white-ball team who have gone off to play in the IPL: they've come back better players for it. I feel the Hundred will have a similar impact on more English players. Not just the top end guys, but on the next group of players that are on the fringe of the international teams. And, on the back of it, they'll have more opportunity to play elsewhere, too.

"Of course it's important we look after our 50-over cricket and, long-term, don't let it slide off a cliff. But I don't think playing the Hundred will dilute our chances of winning the next World Cup