According to a press release by England Cricket Board, England’s brand new hundred ball cricketing event, ‘The Hundred’ is all set to launch in July with cricketing superstars from around the world being signed up to play in the action packed and entertaining tournament. Thirty five men’s players’ names have been unveiled after being chosen out of more than 500 foreign and English players eyeing for a spot in the tournament. Along with this, further eight English and eight Australian star women’s players have also been confirmed. The top five men’s picks include Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, David Warner, Kagiso Rabada and Tom Abell from The Hundred Draft to fill up the remaining 35 spots in the squads. Manchester Originals had the busiest day as they signed 10 players including the likes of Pooran and Rabada along with drafting Harry Gurney, Jamie Overton and Shadab Khan among others. Other English stars that have confirmed to play include Ravi Bopara for London Spirit, Olly Stone picked by Northern Superchargers and Saqib Mahmood going to the Oval Invincibles. All except for one place have been filled by the eight teams with the final slot being filled in June with one Vitality Wildcard. Men’s competition includes three of the world’s best five male international T20 batsmen alongside four of top five male bowlers. In the women’s competition, three of the world’s finest international T20 batswomen and bowlers will feature in the event. World’s top female T20 bowler Sophie Ecclestone and leading female T20 batswomen Beth Mooney are among the latest signings in the women’s squad. The Hundred Draft consisted of 252 foreign and 254 domestic players competing for the remaining places in the men’s teams with teams filling their squads over the coming months. The tournament will kick start with a women’s fixture as the Oval Invincibles will take on Manchester Originals on July, 21. The Hundred’s Final for both the women’s and men’s competitions will be held on August, 21 at the Lord’s.