Top pick Rashid to fire Rockets
SPINNER JOINS HALES AND BRUNT FOR THE HUNDRED
NUMBER one draft pick Rashid Khan is set to play in the first season of The Hundred after Trent Rockets confirmed the Afghanistan international as one of their four retained players for next summer.
England Women’s all-time leading wicket-taker Katherine Brunt has also been retained as Trent Rockets have made significant moves to also secure Alex Hales and Elyse Villani.
Brunt will join fellow England star Nat Sciver, who was last month retained by Trent Rockets.
Australia batter Villani is a teammate of both Sciver and Brunt at Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Rashid was the first player selected in last year’s The Hundred Men’s Player Draft and is the first men’s international player to be retained by a The Hundred team for next summer.
Hales will provide hard-hitting at the top of the order and the experience of 130 limited-overs internationals for England. Rashid and Hales join Joe Root in Trent Rockets’ men’s squad after the England Men’s Test captain was retained last month.
Katherine Brunt said: “The women’s game is unrecognisable from where it was ten years ago. I never thought I’d see over 87,000 people attend the Women’s T20 World Cup final, but that’s exactly what we got earlier this year, and it was incredible for the women’s game.
“Tournaments like The Hundred are an awesome way for us to keep that interest up and showcase our skills. I feel fortunate to still play cricket at the standard I want to play at and be a part of a brand-new competition.”
Rashid Khan said: “It was a very proud moment for me and for my country to be the first man picked in The Hundred.
“As soon as I heard about The Hundred I was super excited to play and I am very pleased that I have been able to stay at Trent Rockets.
“Alex is a great guy. He’s one of the strongest hitters of the ball in the world so I’m excited to be in the same team as him. And Joe is a classic batsman – one of the very best in the modern era. I can’t wait to play with him. It’s a great opportunity for me to learn from his knowledge, experience and understanding of the game.”
Alex Hales said: “Trent Bridge is a fantastic place to play cricket and I’m delighted to be playing for Trent Rockets on my home turf. Last year we assembled a really well-balanced side and I’m hoping we can do the same for 2021.”
Elyse Villani said: “It was a very easy decision to re-sign for Trent Rockets. It’s awesome to reconnect with Nat and Kat – over the years playing together you get to know them as people and develop friendships and connections and they’re two of the best people to play in a cricket team with.
“As a player, it’s amazing to be able to challenge yourself against the best, and it makes you a better player.”