MORE OVERSEAS STARS INKED IN FOR HUNDRED
THE ECB are considering increasing the number of overseas players allocated to each Hundred franchise in an attempt to give the competition more star quality. This summer’s inaugural tournament was hit by the withdrawal of numerous big names, with Kane Williamson (below), David Warner and Kagiso Rabada all pulling out after being recruited in the player draft, leaving the first edition of the Hundred largely the preserve of domestic players.
The ECB are determined to ensure that the men’s Hundred in particular involves more star names next year, and have already acted to ensure that England players will be available by not scheduling any international cricket during the competition. While dates for the Hundred have yet to be finalised it is expected to take place at the start of August, when a three-week window has been created between the end of England’s Twenty20 series against South Africa and the first Test against the same opponents at Lord’s. The ECB are also looking at boosting the overseas contingent, as there are no other international tours due to take place next August. In a review of the inaugural tournament that took place last week it was proposed that each franchise should be permitted to recruit four overseas players for their squads rather than the three allowed this year, although only three would be able to play at any one time. The idea is to give the franchises greater flexibility and to cover for more withdrawals, as it is expected the impact of the pandemic and travel restrictions will continue next year.
The make-up of next summer’s squads will begin to take shape next month with the player retention window opening after the ECB have announced which England players have been awarded central contracts, which as Sportsmail revealed earlier this month will involve around 20 players being given a contract that covers all formats. Each of the eight Hundred franchises will be permitted to retain 10 players for this year’s squad, with the rest to be allocated in a draft to take place after Christmas.