By MATT HUGHES It’s a Hundred raffle for Root as Leeds team target big Ben
JOE rOOT’S destination in the inaugural Hundred competition next season could be determined by a raffle, as the Headingleybased northern Superchargers are leaning towards signing his England team- mate Ben Stokes instead.
Each of the eight franchises will be permitted to select one of the Test players contracted to their constituent counties ahead of next month’s draft. The Hundred teams who do not have any England red-ball contracted players available to them will draw lots to determine in which order they pick the players left over.
The Superchargers, coached by darren Lehmann, are spoilt for choice when it comes to their Test player, with Yorkshire’s root, Jonny Bairstow, adil rashid and durham all-rounder Stokes all on red-ball contracts.
The impact of the latter’s 135 not out in England’s record-breaking chase against australia last weekend may have tipped the balance in his favour.
With England’s red- ball players restricted to playing just three of the eight games due to a clash with a Test series against Pakistan, selections are likely to be based on marketing potential as much as match-winning ability.
Stokes’s World Cup and ashes exploits during an extraordinary summer have seen the 28-year-old emerge as cricket’s biggest star since andrew Flintoff.
root and Bairstow, in particular, will still be in demand, with London Spirit and Welsh Fire keen on the Yorkshire duo as they will not have any centrally contracted players.
Southern Brave are also without Test players, but Jofra archer is certain to be awarded a red-ball contract next year, so the Sussex fast bowler will be snapped up by the Southampton-based franchise.
any contracted players left after eight have been selected will be allocated to the franchise linked to their county.
The ECB awarded red-ball deals to 10 players this season. In addition to archer, rory Burns and Joe denly are pushing for inclusion on next year’s elite list.
Jimmy anderson and Stuart Broad are not expected to play in the Hundred as they seek to extend their Test and first-class careers.
They will instead accept ambassadorial roles for the manchester Originals and Trent rockets respectively.
as well as the selection poser at Headingley, Birmingham Phoenix may also have to pick between Chris Woakes and moeen ali if both retain their Test contracts.
In addition to a single Test player, each franchise will be permitted to reserve two ‘Icon Players’ who must have spent at least one season at one of their constituent counties before next month’s draft.
This category will feature England’s white-ball players, county players and overseas players — limited to three per team. Players will be invited to register for the draft this week. EnGLand managing director ashley Giles has revealed Stokes pleaded with team management to be reinstated as vice-captain after being axed following his involvement in a Bristol brawl. Giles told BBC radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek yesterday: ‘He badgered myself and chief executive Tom Harrison. He was desperate to do it. He really is one of your warriors when you take to the field.’