The men's Hundred draft has been concluded, with 30 players being chosen by the respective eight franchises. Each squad now features 14 players, with a further two able to be added with the Wildcard picks that will come off the back of the t20 Blast.
Most teams only had three players to pick, with a variety of salary bands available. Welsh Fire were the busiest franchise at the draft, given the fact that they retained just five out of a possible ten players, as well as Jonny Bairstow, following their disastrous 2022 campaign.
Who went where in the 2023 men's Hundred draft?
As expected, Tom Abell went to Welsh Fire and Ben Duckett joined Birmingham Phoenix right off the bat. Welsh Fire originally went in for big-hitting Australian Tim David but they were gazumped by the Southern Brave who were able to utilise their Right-to-Match (RTM) card. They instead went for Abell who was noted as being a key target for new coach Mike Hussey.Embed from Getty ImagesSeven players returned to the franchises they had represented in previous seasons, whether via an RTM or through the draft itself. New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips returned to Welsh Fire, Devon Conway and David went back to Southern Brave and Miles Hammond will once again wear the orange of the Phoenix. Also, Laurie Evans and Ashton Turner will turn out again for the Manchester Originals while Tom Kohler-Cadmore was a big pick for defending champions Trent Rockets.
Pakistan superstar pace duo Shaheen and Rauf head to Cardiff
The Welsh Fire were always going to be the headline-makers and they ensured to make those headlines significant. Having combined to provide a lethal force in back-to-back title wins in the Pakistan Super League with the Lahore Qalanders, Pakistan internationals Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will link up once more in Cardiff.
Having signed fellow Pakistani fast bowler Naseem Shah last year, the Fire will hope for better fortunes this time around, especially given the fact Naseem did not actually play a game having pulled out prior to the tournament starting.
That was not all, though, with Hussey's side also bringing the significant t20 talents and experience of England international David Willey to the Welsh capital. Dutch international Roelof van der Merwe, who starred in the recent SA20, will help to provide even more intensity and experience to what is now a strong-looking squad. That is without mentioning the signing of Stevie Eskinazi, the Middlesex batter who has been in sublime form over the last 18 months.
Having signed fellow Pakistani fast bowler Naseem Shah last year, the Fire will hope for better fortunes this time around, especially given the fact Naseem did not actually play a game having pulled out prior to the tournament starting.
That was not all, though, with Hussey's side also bringing the significant t20 talents and experience of England international David Willey to the Welsh capital. Dutch international Roelof van der Merwe, who starred in the recent SA20, will help to provide even more intensity and experience to what is now a strong-looking squad. That is without mentioning the signing of Stevie Eskinazi, the Middlesex batter who has been in sublime form over the last 18 months.
Northern Superchargers, Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets add depth and quality to their ranks
The only other team aside from the Fire to not retain all of the ten available players, Northern Superchargers had an extra slot to fill in the draft. They took England's premier left-arm seamer Reece Topley along with the incredibly talented 'keeper-batsman Tom Banton to add firepower up top. They also added New Zealand international all-rounder Michael Bracewell who impressed mightily on their recent tour to India. Bas de Leede, who was available as a domestic player following his move to Durham, could prove to be a very smart pickup.
Duckett's move to the Phoenix was all but confirmed prior to the draft and it was soon made official once things got underway. He will provide significant experience and quality to an already-strong top order. Hammond provided some good moments for the Phoenix previously and was picked up again, while the Edgbaston side also drafted in wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Defending champions Trent Rockets made some impressive-looking picks in the draft, headlined by the return of Kohler-Cadmore at the top salary band. As if their batting wasn't strong enough, the Trent Bridge-based franchise also added Sam Hain, a player who has been in fine form in the past year or so. Scotland international Brad Wheal was their final pick, a pace bowler who has impressed recently for Scotland, Hampshire and London Spirit.
Duckett's move to the Phoenix was all but confirmed prior to the draft and it was soon made official once things got underway. He will provide significant experience and quality to an already-strong top order. Hammond provided some good moments for the Phoenix previously and was picked up again, while the Edgbaston side also drafted in wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Defending champions Trent Rockets made some impressive-looking picks in the draft, headlined by the return of Kohler-Cadmore at the top salary band. As if their batting wasn't strong enough, the Trent Bridge-based franchise also added Sam Hain, a player who has been in fine form in the past year or so. Scotland international Brad Wheal was their final pick, a pace bowler who has impressed recently for Scotland, Hampshire and London Spirit.
Southern Brave and Manchester Originals opt for familiarity
David has been a must-have on the t20 circuit in the last couple of years and the Brave were keen to have him provide his services for another season at any cost as they used their RTM on him with the first pick. It was perhaps a surprise that the Aussie wasn't retained originally. Another man set to return to the Ageas Bowl in the green of the Brave is New Zealand batter Conway, who turned out in four matches in 2021. Another big pick was that of Leus du Plooy, the South African-born left-hander who excelled in the SA20 and for the Fire last year.
The Originals also went for some familiar faces, bringing back last season's stand-in captain Evans and big-hitting Turner, the Australian who just had a brilliant season leading Perth Scorchers to another Big Bash League title. The Old Trafford side also added Worcestershire's Josh Tongue, a 25-year-old seamer with a modest and unproven t20 record.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Originals also went for some familiar faces, bringing back last season's stand-in captain Evans and big-hitting Turner, the Australian who just had a brilliant season leading Perth Scorchers to another Big Bash League title. The Old Trafford side also added Worcestershire's Josh Tongue, a 25-year-old seamer with a modest and unproven t20 record.
London Spirit and Oval Invincibles bring fresh talent to the capital
London Spirit, who recently announced Dan Lawrence as their new captain in the wake of Eoin Morgan's retirement, went for three fresh faces in the draft. Mitchell Marsh, who has just helped Australia to an ODI series win in India, was their top pick and joins compatriot Glenn Maxwell in the £125,000 salary band. England quick Olly Stone is also heading to Lord's after the Phoenix decided against retaining him. Michael Pepper provides another Essex connection within the squad, with the 24-year-old having impressed in last season's Blast.
The Invincibles also chose to bring in some new talent to their squad with three different profiles. They have gone with one of the best uncapped English t20 players of the last decade in Ross Whiteley, a powerful left-hander who will provide a true finishing option. In the same £60,000 salary band, the Invincibles went for South African Heinrich Klaasen, another who had a storming SA20 and who recently decimated the West Indies attack en route to a 54-ball hundred. Finally, the Oval is set to witness the exciting talent of Pakistan's Ihsanullah Khan, a 20-year-old fast bowler with searing pace who burst onto the scene in the recently-concluded PSL.
The Invincibles also chose to bring in some new talent to their squad with three different profiles. They have gone with one of the best uncapped English t20 players of the last decade in Ross Whiteley, a powerful left-hander who will provide a true finishing option. In the same £60,000 salary band, the Invincibles went for South African Heinrich Klaasen, another who had a storming SA20 and who recently decimated the West Indies attack en route to a 54-ball hundred. Finally, the Oval is set to witness the exciting talent of Pakistan's Ihsanullah Khan, a 20-year-old fast bowler with searing pace who burst onto the scene in the recently-concluded PSL.
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