James Anderson Picked As Wildcard Players In 'The Hundred'

After playing International Cricket for years, James Anderson will finally be seen stepping up in franchise cricket for the first time. The Lancashire seamer who'll turn 43 five days before the tournament was snapped up by Manchester Originals as a 'Wildcard Player'. Wildcard player is a new rule introduced by the ECB where the teams can pick at max two players as a wildcard who were not picked in the main draft.

For the first time in 11 years, Anderson returned to domestic T20 cricket this year with Lancashire Lightning in the T20 Blast. In the eight games of the ongoing competition so far, Anderson has picked 14 wickets - including a three-fer in his comeback match.

Anderson is Excited to be a part of 'The Hundred'

"I'm very excited to be a part of 'The Hundred' this year with the Manchester Originals. I had a good time at the Lancashire Lightning in the T20 Blast. I'll look forward to add value to the team in whichever way I can". Anderson stated

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 only foreign player among those picked, coming in as Faf du Plessis's replacement at Southern Brave following the latter's withdrawal from the tournament due to injury. Brave also brought in 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