The initial batch of players intending to participate in the inaugural season of The Hundred in 2021 have been revealed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
The maiden season of the 100-ball competition was postponed in the summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, but plans for the first running of the tournament have begun, starting with the re-building of squads ahead of next year.
Eighteen names have been announced to appear, with one new face in the form of Dominic Sibley who has joined Birmingham Phoenix as a local icon after being handed a central contract for 2020-21.
For the men's competition, Ollie Pope and Rory Burns have become the first players to swap teams. Pope has left Oval Invincibles for Welsh Fire. Burns, meanwhile, has moved across the capital from London Spirit to Oval Invincibles, who have retained Zak Crawley - their new centrally contracted star.
England's other centrally contracted players remain unaffected, with James Anderson and Stuart Broad opting out of the competition.
The second stage of the process, which runs from today (October 9) until the end of January, will see teams decide which players to retain from their 15-man 2020 rosters. Players can move up and down the salary bands, which have been re-adjusted to £100,000, £80,000, £60,000, £48,000, £40,000, £32,000 and £24,000.
A draft will then take place next year to fill any remaining slots in the squad. The opportunity for a wildcard pick on the eve of the tournament, as per 2020, remains.
The first group of players confirmed for the women's showcase has also been announced. All players selected for 2020 can roll-over their contracts on the same terms, and eight have confirmed they will remain in place.
West Indies pair Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor have committed themselves for 2021, staying with London Spirit and Southern Brave. England stars Amy Jones, Kate Cross, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Fran Wilson, Nat Sciver and Katie George have all agreed to remain, too.
All players with an existing deal can hold on to their contracts should they wish and teams have until May 2021 to fill at least 13 of the 15 berths in their squad.
Sanjay Patel, managing director of The Hundred said: "This is a really exciting moment for The Hundred to see where the England Men’s Test Central Contract players will be playing next year and to announce the first wave of re-signed players for the women’s teams.
"Over the next few months we will see world-class players and massive names from around the world committing to The Hundred and we can’t wait to launch the competition in 2021."
The Hundred 2021 squads so far
Men's competition:
Birmingham Phoenix – Dom Sibley and Chris Woakes
London Spirit – Zak Crawley
Manchester Originals – Jos Buttler
Northern Superchargers – Ben Stokes
Oval Invincibles – Rory Burns, Sam Curran
Southern Brave – Jofra Archer
Trent Rockets – Joe Root
Welsh Fire – Ollie Pope
Women's competition:
Birmingham Phoenix – Amy Jones
London Spirit – Deandra Dottin
Manchester Originals – Kate Cross
Northern Superchargers – Lauren Winfield-Hill
Oval Invincibles – Fran Wilson
Southern Brave – Stafanie Taylor
Trent Rockets – Nat Sciver
Welsh Fire – Katie George
John Stephenson
john@cricketinvestor.co.uk
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