David Warner’s hat is in the ring at 38, Glenn Maxwell could be the most sought-after lot and Alyssa Healy will be a prize catch after a host of Australia’s top white-ball exponents put themselves up for the draft in English cricket’s The Hundred.
With just eight international places available in this year’s men’s competition, Warner’s was perhaps the most eye-catching name announced on Wednesday, throwing his hat into the ring at a reserve price tag of £120,000 ($A245,000).
Warner hasn’t featured in England’s showpiece white-ball event before and, following his international retirement, this might prove his last opportunity at earning a shot at the 100-ball-an-innings format. It won’t be easy, though, as the veteran went undrafted last year.
Steve Smith, fresh from leading his side’s valiant Champions Trophy effort and announcing his retirement from ODIs, still intends to show his worth in the shorter format, having already signed for the Cardiff-based Welsh Fire.
But a host of the players he led in Pakistan and Dubai are now also hoping to cash in on potential riches in The Hundred.
Maxwell, Leeds-born Josh Inglis, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa are also priced at £120,000 ($A245,000), while Jake Fraser-McGurk has put himself in the £78,500 ($A160,000) bracket along with Matt Short.
David Warner (pictured with daughter Ivy and wife Candice) is throwing his hat in the ring for English cricket’s The Hundred
The 38-year-old cricketing legend led the Sydney Thunder to the BBL final last season
Warner is among 22 Aussies looking to earn big in the showpiece white-ball event
Allrounder Maxwell did play for London Spirit back in 2022 and it would be no surprise if he’s again in the sights of the Lord’s-based outfit in next Wednesday’s draft, as they have the first men’s pick.
Birmingham Phoenix have first choice in the women’s competition and Australia captain Healy looks an attractive option, on offer for a £50,000 ($A102,000) reserve, the second-highest base figure after India wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, the only player in at £65,000 ($A133,000).
The discrepancy between the men’s and women’s price tags has been the subject of criticism, not least from England captain Heather Knight, who says the £135,000 ($A276,000) difference between the top men’s and women’s bracket “looks bad” at a time when so much investment is being poured into the tournament.
The only man entered at the maximum price tag of £200,000 ($A409,000), who’s reportedly already been lined up by the Old Trafford-based Manchester Originals, is star Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad.
At different ends of the age scale, Rocky Flintoff, the emerging England Lions prospect who’s the son of Northern Superchargers coach Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, is seeking a spot, as is 42-year-old English pace legend Jimmy Anderson.
