The competitive landscape of The Hundred is once again changing as marquee players like Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope and women’s cricket star Amy Jones have not been retained by their teams, setting the stage for a dramatic reshuffle in the tournament’s landscape. Roy, instrumental in the Oval Invincibles’ victory run last year, represents the biggest surprise in the list of players who will be available in the draft. His availability, linked to his likely participation in the inaugural Major League Cricket in the USA, offers an exciting prospect for other teams looking to bolster their ranks. Additionally, the Invincibles have parted ways with acclaimed overseas talents Sunil Narine and Heinrich Klaasen.
Despite the overseas commitments of several top-tier players in the USA’s MLC tournament, Rashid Khan, Finn Allen, Haris Rauf, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson have been retained by their respective Hundred franchises, ensuring that the fans will see their favorite stars return in the English tournament’s new season.
Among the notables, Birmingham Phoenix women’s team has released Amy Jones. Her departure leaves a big void to fill in the squad but also opens up a valuable spot for new talent in the draft process. The Phoenix also managed to retain the services of renowned stars such as Sophie Devine and Ellyse Perry, boasting a formidable lineup for the upcoming competition.
When it comes to retention statistics, an impressive total of 137 players have been held back by their teams. The men’s teams had the liberty to maintain up to 10 of their squad members, while their female counterparts were allowed to retain up to 8 players. This leaves 75 spots available in the upcoming draft, promising to be a thrilling precursor to the tournament.
Focusing on the franchises and their retained talent, Birmingham Phoenix men’s side stakes claim to a strong core, keeping Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, and Liam Livingstone, among others. London Spirit has secured the leadership of Heather Knight for the women’s team and Zak Crawley’s batting prowess for the men’s. Manchester Originals boast retaining Sophie Ecclestone and Jos Buttler, signaling their intent to compete at the highest level.
The women’s squad of the Northern Superchargers will be fortified by Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Wareham, while Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid will continue on the men’s side. Oval Invincibles Women have held onto Marizanne Kapp and Alice Capsey, among others, and the men’s side is looking strong with Sam Curran and Tom Curran headlining their retentions.
Southern Brave women’s side is another to watch with the retention of power players like Danni Wyatt and Chloe Tryon, while their male counterparts see Jofra Archer and James Vince returning. Trent Rockets have secured the all-round mastery of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alana King for their women’s team, and Joe Root and Rashid Khan for the men’s side, underlining their ambition for the tournament.
As we look to the Welsh Fire, expectations are high with Hayley Matthews and Sophia Dunkley retained for the women’s team and Jonny Bairstow bringing his explosive batting to the men’s squad.
With the list of retentions finalized, the stage is set for an intriguing draft that will decide the fate of many marquee players. Teams will be eager to capitalize on the opportunity to draft the high-profile talent made available, as they aim to balance their squads with a blend of experience and emerging stars. Fans are surely in for an enthralling season of The Hundred as new and familiar faces take to the field in a bid for cricketing glory.
