James Anderson Targets The Hundred Comeback

James Anderson has entered his name for the draft next week with the goal of playing in the Hundred this summer.

Anderson has been serving as a consultant coach for England this winter, including at the Champions Trophy, and has not played professionally since his last Test match against the West Indies in July of last year. However, in January, he agreed to a one-year contract with Lancashire for the 2025 season, and he is now hoping to make his Hundred debut.

Although Anderson hasn't played white-ball cricket in almost six years and hasn't played in T20 cricket in over ten, he still intends to represent Lancashire in the T20 Blast this year. Anderson has not set a reserve price for the draft, which will take place on March 12. If he does not find a suitor, he may still be selected as a wildcard or injury replacement in the Hundred.

Anderson will be the second-oldest player in the competition, behind Imran Tahir (in 2022), if he participates in the Hundreds this year. Faf du Plessis, who will be 41 this season when he plays for Southern Brave, has previously made appearances in the Hundred in his 40s, as have Michael Hogan and Wayne Madsen.

Over 300 male foreign players have signed up for the draft and are set to compete for 10 positions on the men's hundred teams. Of these, 14 have already been retained or signed directly. Conflicts with bilateral series have cast questions on the availability of the majority of active international players, and a two-week matchup with the Caribbean Premier League will eliminate the majority of West Indies players from competition.

Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis, and Josh Inglis are among the Australian players who have entered the draft, despite an impending scheduling clash with Australia's white-ball series against South Africa in August. Meanwhile, David Warner, now retired from international cricket, has also put his name forward. Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, and Lockie Ferguson are all enrolled for the draft, meaning that New Zealand players should be available for most of the Hundred.

In exchange for the highest wage in the Hundred, Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad has agreed to a reserve price of £200,000. After playing for the SA20 squad of their new co-owners, the RPSG Group (the Durban Super Giants), earlier this year, he is anticipated to join with Manchester Originals. After Jamie Overton left the Originals, it is believed that London Spirit, who have the first pick in the draft, would like to sign him.

With a £200,000 reserve fee and no playing experience in the Hundred, Mark Wood is most likely to be a late replacement. Meanwhile, Jason Roy and Dawid Malan, both domestic players with reserve prices, may explore overseas opportunities if they go unselected. Several recent England internationals are anticipated to draw interest in The Hundred draft, including Rehan Ahmed, Zak Crawley, George Garton, Lewis Gregory, Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Reece Topley, David Willey, and Luke Wood.