The stars of the domestic T20 leagues around the world, David Warner, Shakib Al Hasan, Kieron Pollard and Quinton de Kock have registered themselves for the ‘The Hundred’ players draft. The Hundred a new format of cricket introduced by the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was scheduled to start in July last year, but covid-19 postponed the inauguration. It is now slated to begin its journey in July this year.
The highest reserve price for The Hundred has now been slashed to 100,000 Pounds, which would translate to nearly 1 crore Indian Rupees. Along with Shakib, Pollard, Warner and de Kock, the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Nicholas Pooran, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Holder and Lockie Ferguson have also put up their names in the 100,000-pound reserve club. But the issue is that only four players can be drafted at the reserve price of 100,000 Pounds.
A total of 252 players have registered themselves for the auctions and out of that 35 players will be selected in next week's draft. Of the 35, 28 would be domestic players while seven overseas players can be picked. Manchester Originals and Welsh Fire will be the two teams going after the players after opting for an overhaul almost. Rest of the teams have mostly retained their old squad which was picked last year.
A closed-doors, virtual draft will take place on 23rd day and the picks would be announced on 24th February.
Each team in The Hundred will have 14 players in their men's squad, including three overseas players. England red balls stars could be picked but their availability will be limited due to the Test series. One final player will be allowed each team after the group stage of the T20 Blast as a 'wildcard' selection.
"We are delighted with the level of interest we've had from both overseas and domestic players. The calibre of the players involved means that it's going to be an exciting men's draft, with a lot of competition for spaces amongst really top-drawer names,” said Rob Hillman, the Hundred's head of operations.