All four fixtures of The Hundred scheduled for Wednesday will be played under fully illuminated conditions, as organisers have decided to keep the stadium floodlights switched on for the duration of the games. The decision comes in response to a partial solar eclipse that will sweep across the United Kingdom later in the evening, dimming natural daylight and creating an unusual atmosphere for both players and spectators. The astronomical event is expected to block roughly ninety percent of the Sun's disc as the Moon passes directly in front of it.
The eclipse will begin at approximately 6:17 p.m. local time, reach its maximum shortly after 7:00 p.m., and conclude around 8:06 p.m. This will be the first partial eclipse visible from Britain in 27 years, and although most of the country will see only a partial covering, a handful of locations across Europe will experience a total eclipse where the Sun, Moon and Earth align perfectly. During the peak of the eclipse the ambient light will noticeably fade, temperatures are likely to drop a few degrees, and a subtle shift in wind direction may be felt as the Sun disappears behind the lunar silhouette.
After a brief period of darkness, the Sun will re‑emerge, restoring normal daylight conditions. Because the timing of the eclipse overlaps with the scheduled start times of the cricket matches, the governing body has opted to pre‑empt any visibility concerns by switching the floodlights on well before the first ball is bowled. The day’s programme features two women’s games and two men’s contests. In Cardiff, the Welsh Fire women will open the day at 11:30 a.m., followed by the men’s side at 3:00 p.m.
Later, at Edgbaston, Birmingham Phoenix women will host MI London from 3:00 p.m., and the men’s teams will clash at 6:30 p.m. All four matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and fans are encouraged to watch using the Chrome browser for the most reliable video player experience. In addition to the cricket schedule, the horse‑racing community is also preparing for the eclipse. Kempton Park, which hosts a series of flat races on Wednesday evening, will benefit from its permanent floodlight system.
While the twilight meeting at Ffos Las has been moved forward to guarantee that all six races occur in daylight, Kempton’s night‑time lighting means there is no need to alter the existing race timetable. The eclipse is predicted to peak between 7:02 p.m.
and 7:16 p.m., precisely when Kempton has races slated for 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Barney Clifford, Kempton’s clerk of the course, reflected on the rarity of the event: "The last time we saw an eclipse of this magnitude was almost thirty years ago, before we had any floodlights here.
I remember the darkness, but back then we were completely at the mercy of natural light. This time we’ll have the lights on well before the doors open, ensuring that the horses and jockeys are never left in near‑total darkness. We’ll keep the lights on early enough to cover any uncertainty about how much of the Sun will be obscured at any given moment." Spectators are reminded that looking directly at a solar eclipse without proper protection can cause serious eye injury.
Only glasses that meet the ISO 12312‑2 standard for solar viewing should be used. Regular sunglasses, smoked glass, or homemade filters do not provide adequate protection.
For those following the action on their mobile devices, Sky Sports offers a WhatsApp subscription that delivers the latest news, video highlights, expert analysis and real‑time updates throughout the day. Fans can also stream every Hundred match – from the opening games to the final on Sunday, August 16 – on the NOW platform, which provides a contract‑free viewing experience.
The decision to keep floodlights on throughout the eclipse‑affected matches underscores the organisers’ commitment to player safety, broadcast quality and fan enjoyment. By mitigating the sudden loss of natural light, the competition can proceed without interruption, and viewers at home will enjoy a consistently well‑lit spectacle, even as the sky briefly darkens overhead. In summary, the partial solar eclipse will cast a shadow over the United Kingdom on Wednesday evening, obscuring up to ninety percent of the Sun’s surface for roughly two hours. To counteract the dimming effect, all four Hundred games will be played under artificial lighting, and Kempton’s race meetings will continue as scheduled thanks to their existing floodlight infrastructure.
Spectators are urged to use certified eclipse glasses if they wish to view the celestial event safely, and to tune in via Sky Sports or the NOW streaming service for uninterrupted coverage of cricket and racing alike.