More global stars unveiled for The Hundred

Even more men’s and women’s superstars have been snapped up to take part in The Hundred this year ahead of another explosive summer of world-class sport and family-friendly entertainment.

Among the big moves announced by The Hundred today:

• Kieron Pollard selected by London Spirit as the first pick of The Hundred Draft
• Welsh Fire announce they’ve snapped up England batter Tammy Beaumont from London Spirit to lead their women’s team while picking up Joe Clarke, Tom Banton and Adam Zampa in The Draft
• There will be a West Indian feel to The Hundred this summer with Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine among men’s overseas stars picked up in The Draft
• Australia’s World Cup winners Meg Lanning, Rachael Haynes and Megan Schutt, Kiwi Amelia Kerr, South Africa’s Mignon du Preez and West Indies’ Deandra Dottin amongst new overseas signings in the women’s competition.
• Lauren Winfield-Hill (Oval Invincibles), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Trent Rockets), Fran Wilson (Welsh Fire) and Liam Dawson (London Spirit) amongst the big-name English players on the move
• The competition will now feature 4 of the top 5 women’s players in each of the IT20 batter, bowler and all-rounder rankings and 3 of the top 5 men in the IT20 bowler and allrounder categories. In total 19 of the 22 players who featured in the ICC Women’s World Cup Final are signed up to take part in The Hundred
• There are players from 12 nations in this year’s competition, confirming The Hundred’s place in the global sport and entertainment calendar
• Anyone who signs up to www.thehundred.com will be able to snap up priority tickets from today (5 April)

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 men’s and women’s matches across the height of the summer holidays.

Fans who have signed up at www.thehundred.comcan get their tickets today with general sale opening on 20 April.

Quotes

Sanjay Patel, Managing Director of The Hundred said, “With a host of star players confirmed, The Hundred will have fans on the edge of their seats with world class sport, as well as bringing more family-friendly entertainment off the pitch. In the women’s competition we have the best players from across the world taking part including Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine and we are confident we will set a new benchmark for the women’s domestic game.

“On the men’s side, it’s great to see a mix of new overseas stars like Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell alongside returning stars such as Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine. It is also brilliant that some of the best domestic white ball players including Tom Banton and Joe Clarke have been recognised and picked up early. Get your tickets for The Hundred now so you don’t miss out.”

Andre Russell, Manchester Originals signing, said, “I’m excited to get across to the UK and get on the field for Manchester Originals this season. Emirates Old Trafford always has a brilliant atmosphere and the fans seem really up for it! I’m looking forward to joining the likes of Wanindu, Jos, Salty and the rest of the guys and seeing what I can bring to the side.”

Tammy Beaumont new Welsh Fire women’s captain said, “I’m beyond excited to be leading Welsh Fire this summer. I loved my time with London Spirit but the opportunity to captain Welsh Fire was something I couldn’t turn down. We are building a really talented squad, full of world class players and we can’t wait to get out in front of our amazing fans in Cardiff and put on a show.”

Team-by-team - Draft highlights and women’s signings

London Spirit got The Hundred Draft off to a thrilling start by selecting West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard as the first pick. They followed that up with Liam Dawson, Australian international Riley Meredith and Jordan Thompson joining. The excitement wasn’t confined to the men’s team with London Spirit confirming a trio of new overseas signings. World Cup winning Australians Beth Mooney and Megan Schutt will line up at Lord’s this summer alongside New Zealand star Amelia Kerr. Sophie Luff has moved across from Welsh Fire.

Welsh Fire have snapped up England batter Tammy Beaumont from London Spirit as their women’s team captain for this summer. She will be joined by World Cup winners Rachael Haynes and Annabel Sutherland from Australia. A host of exciting domestic names will also look to light up Cardiff this summer with Fran Wilson and Alex Hartley signing from Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals respectively. In the Draft Welsh Fire snapped up domestic stars Joe Clarke and Tom Banton while picking up the exciting overseas trio of Australian Adam Zampa, South Africa’s David Miller and Pakistan’s Naseem Shah. They also picked up exciting young batter Jacob Bethell, who starred for England under 19s as they reached the final of the ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup earlier this year.

Manchester Originals were also busy in The Draft, confirming their three overseas signings West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell, Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and Australian bowler Sean Abbott alongside Laurie Evans. The women’s squad will welcome West Indies star Deandra Dottin who moves from London Spirit and New Zealander Amy Satterthwaite who makes up a strong overseas trio alongside Lizelle Lee.

Northern Superchargers picked up West Indies’ all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz, as well as English duo Adam Hose and Luke Wright while former England legend and three-time women’s world champion Jenny Gunn will line up for the women’s side.

Oval Invincibles are looking to defend their women’s title with the addition of England batter Lauren Winfield-Hill from Northern Superchargers. The men’s side secured West Indies’ Sunil Narine as a right to match while picking up South African batter Rilee Rossouw and Australian batter Hilton Cartwright to go alongside their strong domestic line up.

Trent Rockets have undergone a major rebuild of the women’s side with a number of high-profile signings. World Cup winning captain Meg Lanning has joined alongside fellow Aussie, leg spin sensation Alana King. Mignon du Preez has moved from Manchester Originals while Bryony Smith has signed from Welsh Fire. The men’s side have picked up New Zealand’s Colin Munro – top scorer with Manchester Originals last year - and English duo Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Ian Cockbain as they look to go one better this year and reach the men’s final.

Birmingham Phoenix look to build on an impressive first year with Australian keeper-batter Matthew Wade and fast bowler Olly Stone joining the men’s side. Sophie Molineux joins an impressive looking women’s squad. The Australian international initially signed for Trent Rockets last year before withdrawing from the competition.

Southern Brave are aiming to defend their men’s title and welcome back one of the stars of the inaugural competition, South African international Quinton De Kock, while also drafting exciting spinning talent Rehan Ahmed, who starred for England under 19s as they reached the final of the ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup earlier this year. The women’s side have snapped up Australian allrounder Tahlia McGrath as they look to go one better after finishing as runners up last year. Their squad is further bolstered by the signings of Georgia Adams and Jo Gardner from Oval Invincibles.

The window for the women’s sides to sign players remains open with teams having until 30 June to complete their squads. Men’s and women’s sides will be able to select an additional overseas pick in the overseas Wildcard Draft, while the men’s squads will be completed with the domestic Vitality Wildcard draft.

Tickets – and more activities around the ground

Fans can get their seats now to avoid missing out on the sport and entertainment event of the summer – anyone signed up to www.thehundred.com will be able to snap up their seats from today (5 April) with tickets going on general sale on 20 April.

The Hundred offers an affordable day out for the family, with U16 tickets priced at £5 and free for children aged five and under, and there are family-friendly stands in every ground.

Fans are advised to buy soon so as not to miss out - tickets have already been selling fast after last year’s buyers were given first chance to get their seats for this year.

Ticket-buyers can also look forward to:

• More activities around the ground to keep the whole family entertained.
• A diverse range of great music acts through our continuing partnership with BBC Music Introducing.
• Enhanced food and drink offerings to cater for everyone inside the grounds.
• A bigger range and more availability of merchandise this year so you can get kitted out in your team colours.

Notes to editors

Full list of players announced today (former contracted team in brackets)