The Hundred 2022: Deepti Sharma, Imran Tahir signed overseas wildcard draft

Star Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has been drafted in The Hundred by Birmingham Phoenix for the upcoming women’s edition starting from August 11. The 24-year-old off-spinner played for London Spirit last season, which finished in the fourth position with four wins and four defeats. New Zealand international stars Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu have also been included via the Overseas Wildcard Draft route this season.

Veteran Bates has been drafted by the champions Oval Invincibles and experienced pacer Tahuhu by Manchester Originals while the 24-year-old Kiwi pacer Jess Kerr has been drafted in by London Spirit. Meanwhile, Birmingham Phoenix men’s side has signed veteran South African spinner Imran Tahir as their overseas draft.

According to The Hundred tournament rules, each women’s team can retain any number of players from the previous edition and later sign an overseas player via the wildcard draft. Birmingham Phoenix finished last season’s group stages on the third spot in the table but were beaten by champions Oval Invincibles in the Eliminator.

ECB motivates other boards to promote women’s cricket as well

The ECB pointed out The Hundred taking steps to promote women’s cricket in their press release. The ECB also doubled women’s salary bands for this year’s edition which will motivate other cricket bodies to focus equally on women’s cricket. A

“For the first time in any cricketing competition, women’s players are being drafted along with the men as The Hundred takes another step towards providing an equal platform for women’s and men’s cricket,” the ECB said in a press release.

Sanjay Patel, Managing Director of The Hundred said: “It is brilliant news to welcome 16 more international stars to The Hundred. Players from seven countries have been selected and it’s great to welcome the likes of Mohammad Hasnain, Deepti Sharma and Suzie Bates to The Hundred this year. This continues to take the quality of cricket to another level and we can’t wait for a second summer of incredible sporting action.”