Excitement Builds as Cricket Icons Register for The Hundred Draft

The cricket world is abuzz with anticipation as 890 players from 22 countries gear up for The Hundred drafts, scheduled for March 20. Among the cricket elites vying for a spot are New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, India’s very own Smriti Mandhana, Australia’s powerhouses Meg Lanning and David Warner, and West Indies’ dynamic Kieron Pollard.

Retention Drama and Wildcard Intrigue

In a strategic move, the eight men’s teams had the chance to retain 10 players each, while the women’s teams could secure eight. The retention day witnessed 137 players being held onto by their respective teams, leaving an exciting 75 spots up for grabs on the draft day. Adding an extra layer of suspense, 16 players (two per squad) will join both men’s and women’s teams through the Wildcard Draft just before the competition kicks off.

First Picks and Team Dynamics

Birmingham Phoenix secures the coveted first pick in the women’s competition, while Northern Superchargers claim the honor in the men’s category.

Stellar International and England Contingent

The list of England players includes the likes of Dawid Malan, Amy Jones, Ollie Pope, Lauren Filer, and Jason Roy. Joining them are international stars such as India’s Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh; New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, Suzie Bates, Tim Southee, and Rachin Ravindra; Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Beth Mooney, and Annabel Sutherland; Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and Fatima Sana.

Global Flavor on Display

Players from West Indies, Ireland, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh have also thrown their hats into the ring. Notable names include West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran, Deandra Dottin, and Shamar Joseph; Ireland’s Orla Prendergast and Paul Stirling; Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews; South Africa’s Lizelle Lee and Lungi Ngidi; Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman; and Bangladesh’s Jahanara Alam and Shakib Al Hasan.