Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan becomes the first player to be signed in The Hundred Draft as cricket’s innovative new format makes its first appearance on our screens.
The mystery-spin bowler was chosen in the top tier bracket of £125k by Stephen Fleming, coach of the Trent Rockets.
Meanwhile, big-hitter Chris Gayle and paceman Lasith Malinga are noticeable stars to miss out on the ECB‘s new tournament, which will take place in summer 2020, after failing to be selected in the first two picks.
Each of the eight men’s squad had the opportunity to form a squad of 15 players, including up to three overseas players.
Having already chosen one of England’s centrally contracted test players – as well as two local icons from their catchment area – the sides alternated in picking the other cricketers up for grabs, in varying price brackets.
Khan joins Joe Root, Alex Hales, Harry Gurney and Australian D’Arcy Short at the Nottingham-based side. Jofra Archer’s Southern Brave, who had the second pick, added high-profile Internationals Andre Russell and Australian David Warner.
Meanwhile, fellow Aussie opener Aaron Finch joins Ben Stokes at Leeds-based outfit Northern Superchargers, along with England’s Adil Rashid, Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman and wicket-keeper Ben Foakes.
Steve Smith forms an impressive batting line-up with Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton for Welsh Fire, while Mitchell Starc – leading wicket taker in this summer’s World Cup – partners with Liam Plunkett in their bowling attack.
Manchester Originals went for South-African spinner Imran Tahir for £125k despite his reserve price of £60k, while Oval Invincibles opted for spin in West Indian Sunil Narine – who also offers a batting option at the top of the order.
Birmingham Phoenix, including England stars Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali, chose Lancashire’s Liam Livingstone for more than double his reserve price of £60k across the five-week competition.
Captained by England’s World Cup winning leader Eoin Morgan, London Spirit chose all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Mohammad Nabi to bolster their line-up, while England players Mark Wood and Denly also ply their trade for the Lords-based outfit.
In the women’s Hundred, which will run parallel to the men’s competition, England’s opener Tammy Beaumont has been signed for London Spirit. Other noticeable picks include Australia duo Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy joining Welsh Fire and Northern Superchargers respectively.
The final squads
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.
