< >

Top players are back and playing in The Hundred this summer

by ECB & Cricket World Tuesday 22 February 2022

©REUTERS

The countdown to The Hundred is on as the first players signed up for this year’s competition are revealed today ahead of another explosive summer of world-class sport and family-friendly entertainment.

Today’s deadline day sees all eight men’s and women’s teams reveal which players from last year’s inaugural competition they are keeping hold of for 2022.

Over 150 men’s and women’s players from 2021 have been retained by their team
28 centrally contracted England players and 19 international names confirmed so far
Women’s title holders Oval Invincibles retain most of their side including captain and last year’s Most Valuable Women’s Player Dané Van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, England stars Tash Farrant and Mady Villiers, and 2021 breakthrough star Alice Capsey
Current men’s champions Southern Brave retain ten players with Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills and James Vince all returning for year two along with Jofra Archer, who was signed last year but unable to play because of injury
Overseas stars Ellyse Perry, Lizelle Lee, Marcus Stoinis, Smriti Mandhana, Rashid Khan, Alyssa Healy , Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell will join the action this summer
Heather Knight, Jos Buttler, Sophia Dunkley, Joe Root, Kate Cross and Moeen Ali among the England stars confirmed
The first year of The Hundred proved a big hit with families and young people in particular relishing the mix of fast-paced cricket with music and family entertainment off the pitch. Eight teams, based across seven cities, compete in double-header men’s and women’s matches.

The first tickets for this year’s competition go on sale this week, with people who bought last year able to snap up their seats from tomorrow.

And anyone who missed out last year but wants to come this year can get priority access from March 31 by signing up at www.thehundred.com.

Issy Wong, who will play again for Birmingham Phoenix, said: “I’m so excited to be back playing with Birmingham Phoenix this summer. Last year was incredible for us and the women’s game, it’s only going to get bigger and better with world-class players like Ellyse Perry being able to join this time around. We can’t wait to get going again and to perform in front of full houses again.”

Eoin Morgan, who will feature for London Spirit again, said: “The first year of The Hundred was a huge success. We saw quality cricket in front of incredible crowds, and it was awesome to see so many families coming to watch. It was also really special to see so many fans watching both us and the women’s team and it’s undeniable that The Hundred as has a massive impact on the women’s game.

“We are delighted to have the first pick in The Draft. We hope to add strength and depth to our squad. We can’t wait to see who’s available to snap up.”

Sophie Ecclestone, who has been retained by Manchester Originals, said: “The Hundred is such a cool competition to be involved in and I’m thrilled to be taking part again with Manchester Originals. We were really getting into a groove in the back end of the competition last year, so we have nothing but high hopes for this summer.”

Rashid Khan, who will play again for Trent Rockets, said: “I loved taking part in the first edition of The Hundred last year. Playing a new format for the first time was a lot of fun as a bowler. The fans at Trent Bridge were amazing and I can’t wait to get back and entertain them this summer. Hopefully we can go one better and make the final.”