The Hundred 2024 Draft: Top Men, Women Cricketers Bought and Their Salary, Big Names Who Missed Out

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The Hundred Draft 2024 threw up some unexpected developments, with a clear trend towards West Indian players in the men's competition and some head-scratching choices in the women's draft.

Before the commencement of each season, all teams in The Hundred were allowed to retain players from their previous squads. The retention window for the 2024 edition closed on February 29.

Women's teams were allowed to retain a maximum of eight players, while men's teams could retain up to ten players, along with one centrally contracted England star. Failure to retain a centrally contracted player would necessitate a draft to ensure all teams have representation. Following the retention phase, teams had the chance to fill remaining roster spots through The Hundred Draft.

The Hundred Draft Process and Rules:

What was the Draft Order followed for The Hundred 2024?

The draft order prioritised giving opportunities to teams that underperformed in the previous season. The order ran in reverse from the 2023 final standings, allowing teams that finished lower in the table to make their selections first.

What is the Squad Size and Composition of Teams in The Hundred 2024?

All the teams aimed to fill the remaining slots in their squads through the draft. Women's teams drafted 13 players, while men's teams drafted 14. A maximum of three overseas players were allowed per team, adding an international dimension to the competition.

What was the Right to Match Option in The Hundred 2024 Draft?

This strategic option allowed teams to re-sign a player from their 2023 squad who wasn't initially retained if another team expressed interest during the draft. However, they had to match the offered salary, adding another layer of competition and potentially driving up player prices.

What is the Wildcard Draft Rule in The Hundred 2024?

The draft isn't the final stage of team building. A supplementary Vitality Wildcard Draft takes place closer to the tournament's start. This allows teams to select additional players based on recent domestic form, giving those who weren't initially picked a chance to shine.

How Are Players' salaries decided in The Hundred?

The Hundred maintains a tiered salary structure for both men and women, with different pay bands for players. Here's a breakdown (figures are for men; women's salaries are mentioned separately):

Men's Salary Bands (Unchanged from 2023):

• £125,000 (Two players + one central England contract)
• £100,000 (Two players)
• £75,000 (Two players)
• £60,000 (Two players)
• £50,000 (Two players)
• £40,000 (Two players)
• £30,000 (Three players)

The Hundred Women's Salary Bands

• £50,000 (Two players)
• £40,000 (Two players)
• £30,000 (Two players)
• £17,500 (Two players)
• £14,000 (Two players)
• £11,000 (Two players)
• £8,000 (Three players)

What are the top highlights from The Hundred 2024 Men's Draft?

Caribbean Influx: A significant trend emerged during the men's draft, with teams heavily investing in West Indian players. Five out of the seven top earners were Windies stars, known for their aggressive batting style. This strategic shift suggests teams are prioritising power-hitting to thrive in the fast-paced 100-ball format.

Big Names Go Unsold: The draft also witnessed some surprising omissions. Established names like Jason Roy, David Warner, Kane Williamson, and Babar Azam went unsold, raising questions about their fit within the teams' strategies or potential scheduling conflicts with other leagues.

Who Were The Top Picks In The Hundred Men's Draft 2024?

Nicholas Pooran (Northern Superchargers, £125,000): The wicket-keeper batsman's explosive batting and leadership qualities made him the first overall pick. His high price tag reflects his recent success in the Indian Premier League.

Other West Indies Players Bought at £125,000: Andre Russell (London Spirit), Shimron Hetmyer (Trent Rockets), Rovman Powell (Southern Brave), Kieron Pollard (Southern Brave). These West Indian powerhouses bring firepower to their respective teams, solidifying the Caribbean influence.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Welsh Fire, £125,000): The English batter known for his aggressive strokeplay was another high earner, showcasing the focus on aggressive batting.

Naseem Shah (Birmingham Phoenix, £125,000): The young Pakistani pace bowler's raw talent secured him a top spot, adding a potent bowling option.

Top English Picks: Ollie Pope (Oval Invincibles, £50,000), Dawid Malan (London Spirit, £50,000) were the established English batsmen who were picked at a more moderate price point, adding experience and stability to their teams.

What Are The Hundred 2024 Women's Draft Highlights?

Unexpected First Pick: Birmingham Phoenix surprised many by selecting Amy Jones, an England wicket-keeper batsman, as their first pick. This decision went against the grain, as established stars like Meg Lanning were still available.

Top Earners in the Women's Game: Despite the surprise first pick, Birmingham eventually secured the services of several top female cricketers. The competition for top talent saw Meg Lanning, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Chamari Athapaththu, and Smriti Mandhana all secure spots in the highest £50,000 salary bracket.

Which Top Female Cricketers Were Snubbed By teams in The Hundred 2024 Draft?

Just like the men's the women's draft also had its share of overlooked players. Talented all-rounders like Jemimah Rodrigues and Deandra Dottin, as well as the experienced Suzie Bates, were not picked up by any team. Although, they might still have a chance to play as replacements if injuries or other situations arise.