Sky Sports Cricket analysts Nasser Hussain and Stuart Broad have each handed out their personal player awards for the 2026 edition of the men’s Hundred, while former England women’s star Lydia Greenway offered her perspective on the women’s tournament. Their comments provide a colourful snapshot of the standout performances, emerging talents and value‑for‑money signings that defined the season. Broad opened his segment by lauding Jos Buttler, who steered the Manchester Super Giants into the eliminator.
"He’s delivered crucial runs at the most important moments," Broad said, adding that Buttler is arguably England’s greatest white‑ball batsman and the face of the franchise. The former England captain also highlighted Buttler’s leadership qualities, noting that his calm presence in the dressing room could be the key to lifting the trophy. Turning to the Trent Rockets, Broad praised Ben Duckett for bypassing the eliminator and heading straight to the final.
"His form has been superb," Broad explained, pointing out Duckett’s ability to dominate both spin and pace, hit into unconventional areas and contribute spectacularly in the field. He also admired the way Duckett set the tone for the middle order, playing with confidence and flair that elevated the whole side. In the women’s competition, Greenway singled out Tilly Corteen‑Coleman as the tournament’s leading wicket‑taker, with 13 scalps to her name.
Greenway praised her consistency not just this season but over the previous two campaigns, calling her a model of reliability at the top of the bowling hierarchy. Broad then shifted his focus to overseas star Mitch Marsh, who has provided several eye‑catching innings for the Rockets. Marsh, playing at the historic Headingley ground, has been a true entertainer, delivering a strike rate close to 170 and an average that climbs whenever his side wins. Broad compared Marsh’s consistency to that of Harry Brook, noting that while Brook thrives on the fast pitches of Headingley, Marsh shows an equal knack for scoring on a variety of surfaces, from Trent Bridge to Manchester.
He described Marsh as a "simple" player who can punish a slightly short length with a powerful pull, and praised his down‑to‑earth personality. Greenway highlighted another overseas standout, Australian prodigy Phoebe Litchfield. Litchfield has emerged as the leading run‑scorer in the women’s tournament, dismantling bowling attacks with a mix of straight‑down‑the‑ground shots, powerful pulls behind square and an almost uncanny switch‑hit.
Greenway admitted that captains would struggle to set a field against her, calling Litchfield the player in the best form at the moment. When discussing newcomers, Broad mentioned LD Pretorius, a relatively unknown talent who impressed on the difficult Lord’s surface with elegant off‑side play and a distinctive pick‑up over square leg.
He predicted that Pretorius could become a household name within five years. Greenway also recognized Charley Phillips, who seized her opportunities by taking seven wickets across various phases of the game, and Calvin Harrison, a late‑season replacement who delivered eight wickets, spectacular catches and solid batting contributions for the Rockets. Hussain entered the conversation by defending the value of Adil Rashid, who was bought for £250,000. While acknowledging the steep price, Hussain argued that Rashid’s leg‑spin, especially on dry pitches, offers a high return on investment.
He contrasted Rashid’s cost with the multimillion‑pound deals for Harry Brook and Jofra Archer, suggesting that Rashid provides comparable impact for roughly half the price. Both analysts agreed that Rashid’s willingness to vary his flight and pace makes him a crucial weapon in the modern limited‑overs game. Broad also praised Trent Boult for his occasional eccentricities and a memorable inswinger that rattled Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s. He described Boult as a bowler who can change the course of a match the moment he receives a new ball, and even highlighted a light‑hearted incident involving a fake anti‑fist pump that added levity to the competition.
In the women’s arena, Greenway highlighted Nat Sciver‑Brunt, who, despite managing a calf injury, returned to the field with a reverse sweep on her first ball back, demonstrating class and a high strike rate. She also mentioned Chris Jordan as the tournament’s premier fielder, though she could not overlook a spectacular catch by Will Jacks that turned a precarious situation into a turning point.
Broad applauded Ben Duckett again for a diving catch that prevented a run‑out of Nicky Pooran, emphasizing the importance of fielding in the Hundred’s fast‑paced format. He also commended Bess Heath for her fearless approach to catching, noting that her willingness to dive and secure difficult chances sets an example for young girls watching the game.
Sam Billings received high praise from both pundits for his leadership of the Trent Rockets. After winning three consecutive titles with the Oval Invincibles, Billings switched to the Rockets and immediately made an impact, guiding the side to the top of the table and a spot in the final.
His aggressive mindset, coupled with a desire to prove himself after a controversial departure from MI London, was highlighted as a driving force behind his success. Finally, Greenway turned to Dani Gibson, who captained SunRisers Leeds through a difficult mid‑season slump and helped the team regain form at a crucial juncture. She noted Gibson’s media savvy, energetic presence on the field and collaborative relationship with head coach Adrian Birrell as key factors in her rapid development as a leader.
The 2026 Hundred schedule wrapped up with the eliminators at the Kia Oval on August 14, followed by the finals at Lord’s on August 16, with reserve days on August 15 and 17. Fans could stream every match without a contract on NOW, ensuring that the excitement of the tournament remained accessible to a broad audience.