The Hundred: 99 battles won, 1 war lost

"If you leave with nothing else today please remember this - The Hundred is about growing the game. It's about giving more people the opportunity to be part of cricket's future. The Hundred is about growing the game and getting more people to be part of cricket's future. That's what we're trying to do here."

With that, Tom Harrison - top button undone, voice firm, sleeves set to "Tony Blair" - went to take his seat on one of the four stools off stage. There were still 45 minutes left of the briefing in which those charged with running The Hundred set about serenading journalists with facts, figures and the odd anecdote to explain why this fourth format was required and how it was devised. But already we had our rallying cry.