In the latest cricket news, England's brand new 100 ball tournament, The Hundred has today confirmed a number of new players who will participate in the inaugural season of the competition.
Northern Superchargers signed former Southern African captain Faf du Plessis, who will replace Australia's Aaron Finch as men’s skipper, with Laura Wolvaardt coming as a replacement for Alyssa Healy in the women’s side.
South Africa's Suné Luus will join Welsh Fire and spinner Imran Tahir will be representing Birmingham Phoenix. Shabnim Ismail, the second ranked women’s IT20 bowler in the world is set to replace Rachael Haynes at Oval Invincibles.
New Zealand stars like Adam Milne and Finn Allen will join forces with Birmingham Phoenix, and Colin Munro will represent Manchester Originals. Rachel Priest will come in place of Elyse Villani at Trent Rockets. Allen replaces New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson who will miss the inaugural edition of The Hundred owing to an injury. Glenn Phillips will represent Welsh Fire until the arrival of Kieron Pollard after West Indies duty.
The new signings will replace a number of cricketers who will no longer be able to play in the maiden season of the tournament due to challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rescheduling of various international games.
The final 12 domestic slots in the women’s teams have been finalised. Amongst the signings are Charlotte Taylor at Southern Brave, Grace Scrivens at London Spirit, and Danielle Gregory at Oval Invincibles.
In the men’s tournament, Yorkshire’s Jordan Thompson will come in place of Olly Stone at Northern Superchargers after Stone was ruled out for the season due to a back injury. Harry Gurney (retired) has been replaced with Ollie Robinson by the Manchester Originals where as Sam Hain replaces Wayne Madsen. Somerset's Will Smeed is the final replacement before the Vitality Wildcard Draft, who replaces the injured Henry Brookes at Birmingham Phoenix.
Northern Superchargers captain Faf du Plessis said, “It is a real honour to lead Northern Superchargers in their first season. Playing alongside the likes of Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid and Chris Lynn alongside a number of talented young players will be really exciting. I can’t wait to get going in a few weeks.”
Oval Invincibles star Shabnim Ismail said, “I’m absolutely buzzing to take part in The Hundred. To play in London will be really special, and I know I speak for all my South African teammates when I say we are really looking forward to getting over to the UK and making history in the first year of The Hundred. In particular, I cannot wait to play in the opening fixture of the whole competition on 21 July at The Kia Oval, and maybe bowling the first ever ball in The Hundred.”
Sanjay Patel, The Hundred Managing Director, said, “We know that the ongoing situation with the Covid pandemic and an incredibly busy international schedule has caused significant challenges for a number of international players, but we are delighted with the quality of players who have come in. The Hundred will provide world class entertainment on and off the pitch starting with the opening game, a standalone women’s game, at The Kia Oval on 21 July.”
