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    Howell, Payne & Higgins selected in Hundred Draft

    21 October 2019

    Last night, at The Hundred Draft, Gloucestershire players Benny Howell, David Payne and Ryan Higgins were all selected.

    Howell was the first of the three players to get drafted, Benny was selected by Birmingham Phoenix in the Third Round. Both Payne and Higgins were drafted by Welsh Fire in the Sixth Round.

    Welsh Fire welcomed 14 new players to the men’s team. Gary Kirsten went head-to-head with seven competing Head Coaches to select the very best players to represent Cardiff-based team in The Hundred next summer.

    Chosen from a 570-strong player pool, left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc was the first player picked. Joining him is Australia international Steve Smith and Qais Ahmed, who were picked from the international player pool.

    Gary Kirsten quickly snapped up Ben Duckett and Simon Harmer, joining existing teammates England international Jonny Bairstow, Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Banton and Glamorgan batter Colin Ingram, who were selected in the first stage of the draft process, earlier this month. The men’s team, based at Sophia Gardens, will face seven other teams in the competition when it starts in Summer 2020.

    WELSH FIRE MEN’S PLAYER CONFIRMATIONS

    Team

    Players picked on the 20th October

    Men’s players selected on 3rd October

    Welsh Fire

    Mitchell Starc (4); Steve Smith (13); Colin Ingram (20) – selected on 3rd October; Tom Banton (29) – selected on 3rd October; Ben Duckett (36); Ravi Rampaul (45); Simon Harmer (52); Qais Ahmed (61); Liam Plunkett (68); Ryan ten Doeschate (77); David Payne (84); Ryan Higgins (93); Danny Briggs (100); Leus du Plooy (109)

    Jonny Bairstow (England Men’s red ball central contract pick), Tom Banton, Colin Ingram (Local Icons)

     

    During the evening, Welsh Fire also announced the signing of Meg Lanning to join the women’s team as a marquee player.  Lanning’s signing represents the first announcement of the second stage of the player selection process within the women’s competition.  She will join England stars Katie George and Bryony Smith, who were unveiled in stage one of the process earlier this month.

    Other notable player selections on the night included Rashid Khan for Trent Rockets, Andre Russell for Southern Brave, Aaron Finch for Northern Superchargers, Sam Billings for Oval Invincibles, Imran Tahir for Manchester Originals, Mark Wood for London Spirit and Liam Livingstone for Birmingham Phoenix.

    Steve Smith, speaking to Sky Sports, commented: “It’s great to be involved in the first-ever 100-ball competition, and I’m really looking forward to joining Welsh Fire with Jonny [Bairstow] and Starcy [Mitchell Starc]. It’s really exciting for cricket and it’s going to be full of fire!”

    Gary Kirsten, Welsh Fire Head Coach, said: “I think it’s fair to say I’ve never experienced a night like that – I was on the edge of my seat all night. Our place in the draw meant that we had to think really quickly and react with every other team pick, but I’m really pleased with the Welsh Fire team we’ve created this evening, and I’m confident it’s going to be a great first season for The Hundred at Sophia Gardens next summer.”

    Sanjay Patel, Managing Director of The Hundred said: “We now have eight quality men’s teams and eight more world class women’s players confirmed to feature in The Hundred next summer. The Hundred Draft was an incredible way to put the men’s teams together – another great historical moment for British sport this year. We hope these new teams will inspire existing fans and newcomers to not only rally behind them, but also pick up a bat and ball and join in.”

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