James Anderson, Rocky Flintoff among wildcard picks at the Hundred

England stalwart James Anderson could finally get a taste of franchise cricket after dazzling for years at the international level. The seamer, who will be 43 soon, has become Manchester Originals’ wildcard draft pick. The ECB introduced the provision of ‘wildcard draft’ where teams can add two more players to their rosters from those that missed out during the original player draft.

For the first time in over a decade, Anderson returned to domestic T20 cricket this year, turning up for Lancashire Lightning in the T20 Blast. In the eight matches of the ongoing competition so fa, Anderson has picked up 14 wickets – including a three-fer in his comeback game.

“I’m really looking forward to The Hundred and I’m really happy to be part of the Manchester Originals squad,” Anderson said of his signing. “I’ve loved my time with Lancashire this season, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to add value in the Hundred.

“It’s a competition I’ve really enjoyed watching. When you’re at the games you can really see that it does attract a slightly different crowd, a lot of younger people and families, and you can’t underestimate how important that is for our game. I can’t wait to get out there.”

The Northern Superchargers meanwhile, have secured the services of young turk Rocky Flintoff – the son of former all-rounder Andrew who also coaches the team in the Hundred. He recently made a splash for England U-19 against India U-19, tonning up in the 50-over format while scoring a 93 in the youth Test.

A total of 32 wildcard signings were made – two each for Hundred and Women’s Hundred – by the six teams. Australia’s Hilton Cartwright is the solitary foreign player among those picked, roped in as Faf du Plessis’s replacement at Southern Brave following the latter’s withdrawal from the tournament due to injury. Brave also drafted in the swashbuckling opener Jason Roy.

Men’s Hundred Wildcard picks

Manchester Originals: James Anderson, Marchant de Lange

Northern Superchargers: James Fuller, Rocky Flintoff

Southern Brave: Toby Albert, Hilton Cartwright

Trent Rockets: Callum Parkinson, Ben Sanderson

London Spirit: Sean Dickson, Ryan Higgins

Welsh Fire: Ajeet Singh Dale, Ben Kellaway

Birmingham Phoenix: Liam Patterson-White, Louis Kimber

Oval Invincibles: George Scrimshaw, Zafar Gohar

Women’s Hundred Wildcard picks

Manchester Originals: Esmae MacGregor, Darcey Carter

Northern Superchargers: Katherine Fraser, Sophia Turner

Southern Brave: Phoebe Turner, Amara Carr

Trent Rockets: Grace Thompson, Sophie Morris

London Spirit: Abi Norgrove, Kate Coppack

Welsh Fire: Charley Phillips, Alex Griffiths

Birmingham Phoenix: Mary Taylor, Phoebe Brett

Oval Invincibles: Daisy Gibb, Rebecca Odgers