According to a press release by England Cricket board, the latest signings for the Manchester Originals for the maiden season of The Hundred have been announced today. The teams selected their final male players in The Hundred Draft and several women’s signings were also announced. With ten places to fill in the men’s squad before The Draft, West Indies star all-rounder Nicholas Pooran was the first player to be picked by the side. South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and all-rounder Jamie Overton were also signed by the Manchester based side. Simon Katich, Head Coach of the Men’s side also picked players like Harry Gurney, Shadab Khan, Tom Lammonby, Steven Finn, Colin Ackermann, Richard Gleeson and Tom Hartley as they will join existing teammates, Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Matt Parkinson and Wayne Madsen who were already retained from last year’s team. Paul Shaw, Head Coach of the women’s team welcomed bowler Sophie Ecclestone to the squad. Ecclestone will share the dressing room with existing teammates, bowler and team skipper Kate Cross, South Africa batswoman Mignon Du Preez and bowler Alex Hartley who have been retained from last year’s team. The 100 ball tournament will launch with a women’s fixture on Wednesday, 21st July as Manchester Originals will head to the Kia Oval to take on the Oval Invincibles. The final for both the women’s and men’s tournament will be held at the Lord’s on 21 August. Simon Katich, Manchester Originals Men’s Head Coach, said: “We are really pleased with the players we picked up in The Draft. (Nicholas) Pooran, (Kagiso) Rabada and Shadab Khan are world class overseas players alongside a balance of young, local guys and some more senior players. We know that we were the team with most slots to fill going into The Draft, and I feel like it’s paid off and we’ve put together a well-balanced squad that will do Manchester proud.” Paul Shaw, Manchester Originals Women’s Head Coach, said: “First of all, it’s a huge honour to be coaching a team in the opening fixture of The Hundred – it’s an incredible step for the women’s game and I’m really looking forward to it. “I’m delighted to welcome Sophie (Ecclestone) to our team. When you can add the best women’s IT20 bowler in the world to your squad, it elevates everyone. She will bring immense quality and personality both on and off the pitch.” Sanjay Patel, Managing Director of The Hundred said: “With the men’s Draft now complete and more stellar signings for the women’s competition, The Hundred promises to be unmissable entertainment this summer.”