According to a press release by the ECB, the final list of retained men’s players for England’s new 100 ball tournament “The Hundred” has been announced today. A number of English and foreign stars among the 57 male and female players have signed up for the event that will kick start this year. The men’s retention window, where the teams could retain players who were due to play with them last year is now sealed. Australian stars like Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell, Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson, West Indies’ power hitter Andre Russell and English pacer Mark Wood were the high profile names announced today. The women’s squads also are continuing to build with players like Alex Hartley, England’s Freya Davies, and Kiwi Amelia Kerr among a series of new signings. The signings of players for the women’s teams can take place until June. The announcement of the picks along with more women’s signings will take place throughout the day on 23rd February. The league will feature eight city-based teams from Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton and two from London. Birmingham Phoenix have heavily armed their men’s squad with the retention of Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. Along with Gwen Davies, Thea Brookes and seamer Issy Wong are the three women’s retention. The London Spirit will have Mason Crane, Freya Davies, Joe Denly and Mark Wood all staying at Lord’s. Glenn Maxwell and Somerset spinner Roelof Van Der Merwe are two of men’s retention. Australia’s Aaron Finch and Chris Lynn alongside Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will stay with the Northern Superchargers. The women’s side will continue to construct with English bowlers Beth Langston and Linsey Smith signing Lauren Winfield-Hill’s squad. Wicket keeper John Simpson rounds off the list of retention for the Emerald Headingley-based side. Southern Brave signed three overseas stars consisting Kiwi leg spinning all rounder Amelia Kerr. She will line up alongside Western Storm spinner Fi Morris. West Indian Andre Russell and Australia’s Marcus Stoinis will join the men’s squad alongside England seamer Craig Overton and Ross Whiteley.
England Sam Billings has been retained by the Oval Invincibles. South Africa women’s team skipper Dane Van Niekerk and Nepalese spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will continue to stay at the Kia Oval. Retained Scotland international Sarah Bryce, and exciting batter Alice Capsey and allrounder Jo Gardner will strengthen the women’s squad. Manchester Originals have entrusted the locals with England and Lancashire spinners Alex Hartley and Matt Parkinson continuing their stay at Emirates Old Trafford. Veteran Derbyshire, Wayne Madsen is the final men’s player to be retained. English allrounder Lewis Gregory will captain the Trent Rockets side that will avail the services of Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile and D’Arcy Short. Nancy Harman and Lucy Higham will join the Trent Rockets, whereas Ben Cox, Luke Wood and Luke Wright are also being retained. Liam Plunkett will line up with Afghan leg spinner Qais Ahmad. They will be joined by Ryan Higgins and David Payne at Welsh Fire. South East Stars Amy Gordon will also stay in Cardiff. Full list of players named today: Birmingham Phoenix: Shaheen Afridi, Thea Brookes, Chris Cooke, Gwen Davies, Liam Livingstone, Isabelle Wong, Kane Williamson London Spirit: Charlie Dean, Mason Crane, Freya Davies, Joe Denly, Hannah Jones, Glenn Maxwell, Sophie Munro, Roelof Van Der Merwe, Mark Wood Manchester Originals: Georgie Boyce, Natalie Brown, Ellie Threlkeld, Alex Hartley, Emma Lamb, Wayne Madsen, Matt Parkinson, Northern Superchargers: Aaron Finch, Beth Langston, Brydon Carse, Chris Lynn, John Simpson, Linsey Smith, Mujeeb Ur Rahman Oval Invincibles: Sam Billings, Sarah Bryce, Alice Capsey, Laurie Evans, Jo Gardner, Will Jacks, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dane Van Niekerk Southern Brave: Amelia Kerr, Fi Morris, Craig Overton, Andre Russell, Marcus Stoinis, Ross Whiteley, Trent Rockets: Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Cox, Lewis Gregory, Nancy Harman, Lucy Higham, D’Arcy Short, Luke Wood, Luke Wright Welsh Fire: Qais Ahmad, Amy Gordon, Ryan Higgins, David Payne, Liam Plunkett
