Stokes will hit for the North in new ‘Hundred’

Ben Stokes will play for the Leeds-based franchise in The Hundred, with Northern Superchargers selecting England’s man of the moment ahead of Yorkshire pair Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.

The new 100-ball tournament was launched yesterday, with the eight franchises officially named and the first batch of players allocated.

The Headingley side, which represents Yorkshire and Durham, could not look past Stokes, the undisputedstarofthesummer, and Test captain Root was picked up by Nottingham-based Trent Rockets instead, with Bairstow joining Welsh Fire in Cardiff.

Jofra Archer will spearhead the Southern Brave bowling attack, Jos Buttler heads up the Manchester Originals, Chris Woakes represents Birmingham Phoenix and Sam Curran joins brother Tom at Oval Invincibles.

Each team was also able to pick up two “icon” players from their local area, as well as the first two representatives of their women’s side.

World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan is the leading man for the Lord’s franchise, London Spirit, with England Women’s captain Heather Knight also heading to the home of cricket.

Speaking about his new assignment Root said: “I’m incredibly excited to play for Trent Rockets.

“The best players in the world are coming here to compete and we’re going to get the chance to test ourselves against them once again.”

Bairstow welcomed the chance to represent Welsh Fire, even though returning to Yorkshire in the opposition ranks might take some getting used to.

“I enjoy Cardiff, I made my England debut there and it’s an amazing place,” he said.

“It’s a new competition, a new format and new teams. It will feel weird going to Headingley and being in the away dressing room, but it’s an amazing honour to be one of the guys to figurehead a team.”