The Hundred: Franchises announces changes to overseas players amid injuries, Covid-19

The English Cricket Board’s city-based The Hundred was postponed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The tournament featuring the women’s and men’s teams from eight cities is now scheduled to kickstart from 21^st July. However, there have been some withdrawals and additions to the squads of the tournament ahead of its start.

Due to some injury issues and complications due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the teams have announced certain changes to their list of overseas players. The New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson would miss this inaugural season due to his elbow injury. His countryman Finn Allen is set to replace him in the Birmingham Phoenix. Adam Milne is another key name from New Zealand to be joining the same team, replacing Shaheen Afridi, who is a part of Pakistan’s squad for the series against West Indies.

Rachel Priest has replaced Alysse Villani at Trent Rockets whereas Ollie Robinson and Colin Munro have been roped by Manchester Originals. Alyssa Healy has made way for Laura Wolvaardt in the Superchargers women’s team. Sune Luus will be joining the Welsh fire and leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been included by the Birmingham Phoenix.

Shabnim Ismail is all set to replace Rachael Haynes at Oval Invincibles, stating her excitement for the tournament she said, “In particular, I cannot wait to play in the opening fixture of the whole competition on July 21 at The Kia Oval, and maybe bowling the first-ever ball in The Hundred.”

Faf du Plessis replaces Aaron Finch as Northern Superchargers skipper

In the absence of Aaron Finch, Faf du Plessis is all raring to be the skipper for Northern Superchargers. Putting forward his feelings about the same he said, “It is a real honour to lead Northern Superchargers in their first season. Playing alongside the likes of Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid and Chris Lynn alongside a number of talented young players will be really exciting. I can’t wait to get going in a few weeks’ time.”

Meanwhile, the final 12 domestic slots in the women’s squad are also been filled as Charlotte Taylor has signed at Southern Brave, 17-year-old Grace Scrivens at London Spirit, and South East Stars leg-spinner Danielle Gregory at Oval Invincibles for The Hundred tournament. Adding to it, Matthew Mott would now be replaced by Western Storm head coach Mark O’Leary as the head coach of the Welsh Fire women. Ollie Stone was ruled out because of a back injury thus Yorkshire’s Jordan Thompson comes in at his place for Northern Superchargers.