Warner's Debut in The Hundred

Former Australian batter David Warner is set to make his debut in The Hundred after being signed by London Spirit. Warner, 38, was initially picked by Southern Brave in 2020, but the tournament was canceled due to Covid-19. This marks his first return to the competition since.

Anderson and Flintoff Unsold

Meanwhile, veteran England seamer James Anderson and 16-year-old Rocky Flintoff, son of legendary all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, went unsold in the draft. Anderson, 42, also failed to secure a deal in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) but remains committed to playing all formats for Lancashire this summer.

Key Signings and Team Updates

Other notable signings include England all-rounder Jamie Overton, who joins Warner at London Spirit with a top-tier contract of £200,000. Sam Billings, captain of Oval Invincibles, praised Warner's impact, stating, "Any competition with David Warner in it, benefits. He is box office."

International Stars and Emerging Talents

Southern Brave secured New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell, while Trent Rockets added former England seamer David Willey. Manchester Originals opted for Afghanistan wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad as one of their highest-paid players. Additionally, Reece Topley joined Southern Brave, forming a formidable pace attack alongside Jofra Archer, Tymal Mills, and Chris Jordan.

Women's Competition Highlights

In the women's draft, England captain Heather Knight was retained by London Spirit after leading them to the 2024 title. Fast bowler Issy Wong also joined from Birmingham Phoenix. Welsh Fire kept England batter Sophia Dunkley and recruited leg-spinner Katie Levick.

Upcoming Wildcard Draft

The Hundred 2025 kicks off on 5 August, with a wildcard draft in May allowing teams to sign in-form domestic players. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament approaches!