Jos Buttler believes the Hundred has made England “very battle-hardened” ahead of the white-ball series against New Zealand.
The competition’s third edition concluded at Lord’s on Sunday with Southern Brave winning the women’s competition before Oval Invincibles scooped the men’s prize.
England begin the T20 leg of the Black Caps’ tour at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday and plenty of players included in their squad have put in solid performances throughout the Hundred.
“I think everyone’s been playing high-class competitive cricket which is great,” skipper Buttler told a press conference.
“The Hundred I think was a brilliant tournament this year, lots of close games, a high-quality standard of cricket so everyone’s very battle-hardened.
“It’s great that we have a domestic competition that mirrors as closely as we can to international cricket.
“It’s not just the Hundred, you’re always looking for stuff, but that’s the great thing about that tournament, every game is televised, people step up and perform, those performances don’t get missed.
“It’s played in a high standard in front of big crowds, it’s great for us to have that tournament on our doorstep and be able to pick players from there.”
One player who stood out during the competition was seamer Gus Atkinson, who earned a maiden call-up to the England limited-overs squad.
The 25-year-old has been bowling at an extraordinary pace throughout the Hundred for the Invincibles, reaching speeds of 90mph, although it remains to be seen when he will be handed his England debut.
“Not sure (if Atkinson will play in the first T20), I think he’s one we want to look after very much,” Buttler said.
“Obviously he’s played a lot through the Hundred and obviously the final was only on Sunday.
“So we’ll see how he trains today and feels but I think you’ll see him make his debut at some point in the very near future.”
Buttler faced the paceman during the Hundred final, where his Manchester Originals side lost to the Invincibles, but he is looking forward to seeing Atkinson in action for England.
“I’m really excited to see him, obviously lots of people have been very aware of him for a while, and the pace he can bowl at, that’s a rare commodity, guys who can bowl that fast,” he said.
“So we’re really excited for him, just encourage him to be himself even though he’s now in an England shirt and excited to play on the same team as him.
“I faced him a couple of times in the Hundred and he’s got great pace, and I think he’s a really exciting prospect for us.”
Wednesday’s match is the first of four T20s followed by four ODIs ahead of a busy white-ball period which culminates with the 50-over World Cup in October, but the jam-packed schedule provides plenty of opportunities within the team.
“I think you always have a bit of a plan, but they’re always changeable, I think during the series and things can happen obviously,” Buttler added.
“So obviously our main priority is the New Zealand ODI series. We see that as a really competitive series against a top team.
“It would be great to get what we think is our best squad together and team together, look at a few combinations for the World Cup and that’s probably the highest priority at the moment.
“But any game you play for England is huge and we want to win. I think that’s something that always shines through whatever team we put up.
“We believe it’s a team that can win as well. So I’m really looking forward to this series.”
Inglis hails 'hard to stop' Stoinis after ruthless knock
Josh Inglis lauded "hard to stop" Marcus Stoinis as Australia signed off their T20I series against Pakistan in style, claiming a whitewash.
The hosts raced to a seven-wicket victory with almost nine overs remaining in Monday's third match.
After Australia's bowlers had limited Pakistan to just 117 runs, Stoinis ensured they signed off their final white-ball assignment in style, with his unbeaten 61 doing the damage.
Only twice has he bettered that knock in T20Is – versus New Zealand in 2021 (78) and against Oman at the World Cup earlier this year (67*).
"It's been a great week. We've had a lot of fun as a group," Inglis said. "It's been really nice.
"When Stoinis is going like that, he is really hard to stop. One of those sixes was probably the biggest I've ever seen!"
Stoinis, who was named player of the match, added: "Nice to score some runs on a beautiful wicket but credit to the bowlers who kept the total down.
"Yeah, I actually told [Haris] Rauf that this is the first time any of us got the better of him! No, he's a brilliant bowler, bowled well this series."
During their white-ball tour, Pakistan won the ODI series, their first time doing so in Australia in 22 years, but got whitewashed in the T20Is.
Despite the heavy loss, captain Agha Salman chose to focus on the positive effect the experience will have on their young players.
"I think in the middle overs, we didn't capitalise on the start," he said. "But lots of positives.
"The way Usman [Khan] batted, the way Jahandad [Khan] bowled. These youngsters will come good.
"It's obviously a big achievement winning the ODI series, but we could have done much better in the T20Is."
Salt century gives England winning start to West Indies T20 series
Phil Salt hit a superb century as England drew first blood in their T20 series against West Indies, with a commanding eight-wicket victory at the Kensington Oval.
Salt's unbeaten 103 off 54 balls was the highlight for the tourists, who successfully chased down their target of 183 with 19 balls to spare.
The West Indies endured a difficult start and were reduced to 18-3 and later 117-8, with Saqib Mahmood (4-34) and Adil Rashid (3-32) doing the damage.
However, the hosts managed 65 runs in the last 5.2 overs to finish at 182-8, with Gukadesh Motie knocking 33 off 14 balls along the way.
Salt kick-started England's chase with 50 off just 25 deliveries taking them to 73-1 after six overs, with Will Jacks (17) dismissed with the final ball of the powerplay.
Jos Buttler's first match after four months out lasted just three minutes, as the skipper was caught by Motie for a golden duck.
However, it proved a false dawn for West Indies, with Salt and Jacob Bethall (58 from 36 balls) safely steering England to victory.
Data Debrief: Salt completes hat-trick of hundreds as Bethell makes historic half-century
England put their disappointing ODI series behind them, making history with the highest T20 chase at the Kensington Oval.
Salt was the hero with his third T20I century, all of which have come against West Indies in the past 12 months.
Bethell also made history on Saturday. Aged 21 years and 17 days, he become the youngest England player to score a 50 in a T20I.
Asalanka leads Sri Lanka to ODI series win over West Indies
Sri Lanka wrapped up the ODI series against the West Indies with a five-wicket victory in Pallekele.
The hosts successfully chased down their opponents' total of 189, giving them an unassailable 2-0 in the three-match series.
Sri Lanka controlled the early powerplay - Asitha Fernando (3-35) and Maheesh Theekshana (3-25) took two wickets apiece to leave the tourists at 31-4 in the ninth over.
Wanindu Hasaranga (4-40) then claimed three of his four wickets as Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh and Alzarri Joseph were all dismissed in the space of 14 balls.
However, Sherfane Rutherford (80 off 82 balls) and Gudakesh Motie (50 not out) steadied the ship to take the Windies from 58-8 to 189.
Although Joseph claimed Avishka Fernando (9) in the fourth over, Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama both chipped in with contributions of 38 to get the hosts to 112-4.
Skipper Charith Asalanka (62 not out) led the charge thereon, while Kamindu Mendis (11) comfortably got them over the line with 34 balls remaining.
Data Debrief: Rutherford-Motie historic stand proves academic for tourists
West Indies were looking to level the series, but their hopes were not aided by Sri Lanka's impressive bowling.
Rutherford and Motie did their best. Their partnership brought 119 runs, which is their nation's highest ninth-wicket stand in ODI history, breaking the previous record of 85 between Yannic Cariah and Alzarri Joseph.
However, it ultimately proved in vain as the hosts secured the series with a game to spare.
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