Jos Buttler headlines a host of Lancashire players selected to take part in The Hundred next summer for Manchester Originals.
Recent England call-ups Saqib Mahmood and Matt Parkinson will take part alongside the World Cup winner, as well as England International Kate Cross and the ICC’s Emerging Player of the Year for 2018 Sophie Ecclestone, who are included in the women’s team.
This selection marks the first stage of the draft, in which each side selects a centrally contracted player and two local icons, with the remaining players allocated to the team within their catchment area.
Other notable selections are Ben Stokes for Northern Superchargers, while Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow have been chosen by Trent Rockets and Welsh Fire respectively.
The draft culminates on October 20th, when the teams will have the opportunity to snap up the rest of the players, including high profile inclusions such as Chris Gayle, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith.
Also revealed is the identity and kit for Manchester Originals, which is sponsored by McCoys.
In a parallel competition, the women’s team will face off against England captain Heather Knight for London Spirit, as well as Anya Shrubsole – Knight’s vice-captain for England.
Jos Buttler said, “There’s never been a more exciting time to be an English cricketer, especially following the amazing summer we’ve had. It’s great to be involved with The Hundred and I’m delighted to join Manchester Originals and play at Emirates Old Trafford, a ground that I know really well. Hopefully, I can bring that added bit of experience to the team and support some of the younger guys coming through.”
Men’s Head Coach Simon Katich said, “We have selected Matt Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood as our two local icon picks. Both are outstanding young local players and have made strong starts to their careers, particularly for Lancashire in T20 cricket. Their recent selection in the England T20 squad highlights how highly regarded they both are.”
How it will work
The Hundred will become a new addition to the cricketing formats and introduces the concept of franchise cricket. Eight teams across seven cities will compete in the five-week competition, with each team facing one hundred balls each. The move marks a switch of focus to the shorter formats of the game and the rules are aimed at speeding up play in order to appeal to a wider audience.
- Begins summer 2020. Eight teams across seven cities.
- Each side bats for up to 100 balls.
- Bowlers change ends after every 10 balls.
- Bowlers will deliver either five or 10 consecutive balls but no more than 20 per match.
- Each fielding side will get a strategic timeout of up to 150 seconds.
- A 25-ball powerplay will start each side’s innings, with only two fielders allowed outside the initial 30-yard circle.
(Pic of Jos Buttler by Ytfc23, under creative commons licence)
(Mark Percy / Players and Media Centre, Old Trafford Cricket Ground /
