Trent Rockets Marchant de Lange refused to listen to the doubters last season who ‘rubbished’ the new-look competition before a ball was bowled, and the burly South African is convinced the Hundred is set for a big future.

The 31-year-old South African bowler became the first player to take five wickets in the competition last year against Southern Brave, who got their revenge beating the Rockets in the semi-final on their way to the trophy

This year the Somerset seamer is hoping to knock the Brave off top spot and continue where he left off after he ended the tournament as joint-leading wicket-taker in the men’s competition with 12.

“It's absolutely brilliant, I think England definitely needs something like this,” de Lange explained, who was speaking at the launch of KP Snacks’ summer cricket roadshow at The Black Prince Trust in Oval. KP Snacks are the Official Team Partner of The Hundred and are on a mission to inspire more families to get active through cricket by bringing a pop-up experience on a nationwide tour of the country.

“Hence because of the IPL that's in place, the Big Bash. So, The Hundred is awesome for England, for the future. Families and spectators are getting more value, it’s short and sweet. I think that it is a brilliant start for hopefully, a bigger future.

“Do you know I don’t think about my wicket taking exploits from last season – it’s just one of those things, it just naturally happened.

“And I'm very blessed to be the first person to do it in The Hundred, and I’d love to repeat the success a couple more times in a winning cause.

“I've never thought about individual success and figures, you've got 20 balls, you try and deliver your best with every delivery, trying to execute what's best for the team as well and at the end of the day, it just went my way that game.”

Former Glamorgan player, de Lange, is convinced the Hundred roadshow is a perfect illustration of what the England & Wales Cricket Board needs to keep doing to encourage more people into the sport.

De Lange added: “It's awesome to meet people, firstly, that enjoy cricket, that want to play the game and I just want the game to grow, get bigger.

“It's already starting to move in different parts of the world, but in terms of in England, I think we can still do loads more get more people involved.

“I know we're always competing against the big football brand, but it's a start, so the more families we can get involved who don't know the game, it’s just beneficial to cricket.

“I think the projects that's going on, the roadshow now with The Hundred, but even the projects behind the scenes, I think we get into places in England to make it accessible for everyone to enjoy the game and get exposure.

“In England you've got access everywhere to cricket – and I think the team behind the scenes with the Hundred are doing well to expose the game.”

KP Snacks, Official Team Partner of The Hundred, are touring the country this summer to offer more opportunities for people to play cricket as part of their ‘Everyone In’ campaign. Visit everyonein.co.uk/about