Each of the men's and women's Hundred teams have added fourth overseas player to their squads through wildcard draft; men's competition starts on August 3 with women's tournament getting under way on August 11; watch every game live on Sky Sports
Thursday 9 June 2022 13:17, UK
Ben McDermott, Mohammad Hasnain, Suzie Bates and Deepti Sharma are among the overseas wildcard picks selected for the second season of The Hundred.
Each of the eight men's and women's sides have added a fourth overseas player to their squads but will only be permitted to field three in a matchday XI.
Australia star McDermott - who has impressed in the Vitality Blast for Hampshire Hawks, including with a 30-ball 83 against Middlesex - has been signed by London Spirit.
Pakistan fast bowler Hasnain will play for Spirit's London rivals Oval Invincibles after being selected as the first men's pick.
Hasnain, 22, was banned from bowling international cricket after having his action reported during a Big Bash League stint with Sydney Thunder in January but that suspension has now been lifted.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said Hasnain's action was now "within the 15-degree level of tolerance" after reassessment at the ICC's accredited testing centre in Lahore.
Hasnain said: "I'm overjoyed to be joining Oval Invincibles. The Hundred looked like great fun last year and I can't wait to get involved.
"The opportunity to play alongside stars like Sunil Narine, Jason Roy and the Curran brothers is hugely exciting. I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the field again."
Other standout overseas picks by the men's sides include Birmingham Phoenix re-signing Imran Tahir - the veteran spinner took the competition's first hat-trick last season, against Welsh Fire - and Fire acquiring 17-year-old Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad.
New Zealand Women star Bates will play for reigning women's champions Invincibles, while Phoenix have added spin-bowling India Women all-rounder Deepti Sharma to their squad.
Two members of Australia Women's victorious 50-over World Cup squad earlier this year have been picked up, with Nicola Carey joining Fire and Heather Graham selected by Northern Superchargers.
Carey said: "I'm really excited to be heading to Welsh Fire.
"We've already got a strong Aussie contingent with Rachael Haynes and Annabel Sutherland and combine that with Tammy Beaumont as skipper and we've got the makings of a really strong squad.
"I've never played at Cardiff before and I'm looking forward to seeing the Welsh Fire fans making lots of noise at Sophia Gardens."
The eight men's wildcard picks will each be paid £50,000, with the eight women's picks earning £15,000.
Sanjay Patel, managing director of The Hundred added: "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."
Men's teams will add a further player to their squads on July 7 through the domestic wildcard draft, which will come after the group stages of the Vitality Blast.
The women's teams have until the end of June to finalise their squads, with the complete lists to be submitted alongside the men's wildcard picks on July 7.
The men's competition begins on August 3 with a clash between defending champions Southern Brave and Fire.
The women's tournament - which is shorter this year due to women's cricket's involvement in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham - begins on August 11 as 2021 winners Invincibles play Superchargers.
Watch The Hundred live and in full on Sky Sports from August 3.
