The Daily Puzzle That's Gripping Hundred Fans
If you've been following The Hundred this season, chances are you've already been sucked into the brilliant daily guessing game running alongside the tournament. Now in its 22nd edition for 2026, the quiz challenges fans to identify a current Hundred player using as few clues as possible. As someone who's spent decades in and around the dressing room, I can tell you that real cricket knowledge gets tested here — this isn't just about knowing the big names.
The format is beautifully simple. You're presented with a mystery cricketer currently competing in The Hundred, and after each incorrect guess, an additional clue is revealed. The fewer attempts you need, the higher your score. Getting the right answer in three guesses is considered a solid effort, while cracking it in just one or two marks you out as a genuine Hundred aficionado.
How the Scoring Works – And Why It Matters
The scoring system rewards cricket intelligence rather than luck. Nail the answer on your first attempt and you're looking at the maximum five points. Get there in two guesses and you'll bank four points, with each additional attempt costing you a point. Three points for a third-attempt correct guess is described as a good score, while anything beyond that and you'll want to brush up on your Hundred rosters before tomorrow's puzzle drops.
What I particularly appreciate about this format is that it forces you to think laterally. Nationality, batting style, The Hundred franchise, age group — all of these details can factor in before a name even springs to mind. It's the kind of cricket thinking I used to encourage in young players during my coaching days: build the picture piece by piece rather than rushing to a conclusion.
Who Could Today's Mystery Player Be?
Without giving the game away entirely, mystery player number 22 is an active participant in this year's Hundred competition. The clues are set by BBC Sport's Henry Cowling, who has developed a knack for selecting players that sit right in that sweet spot between obvious and obscure. You won't always be stumped immediately, but complacency is the enemy here.
From a cricket analyst's perspective, these puzzles are also a wonderful snapshot of just how broad the talent pool in The Hundred has become. We're seeing established international names rubbing shoulders with emerging county talents and exciting overseas signings, which makes the guessing game genuinely unpredictable. If you fancy a small wager on how quickly you'll crack today's clue, the smart money is probably on needing at least three attempts — the difficulty level has been ramping up as the tournament progresses.
Where to Play and What's Coming Next
The quiz is running daily throughout The Hundred, meaning there's a fresh challenge every morning for cricket fans to sink their teeth into. Previous editions are also collected together in one handy location, so if you've missed any of the first 21 puzzles you can still go back and test yourself against the full archive.
Whether you're a seasoned county follower or a newer fan drawn in by the shorter format, this is exactly the kind of engaging cricket content that keeps the sport relevant and fun between balls. Give mystery player number 22 your best shot — and come back tomorrow to do it all again.
