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Ben Stokes to Make Hundred Return for Northern Superchargers

Ben Stokes to Make Hundred Return for Northern Superchargers

Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, is set to make a highly anticipated return to the Hundred this summer, three years after his last appearance in the tournament. ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that Stokes has been made available by the ECB to play the second half of the group stage for Northern Superchargers, where he will be reunited with his former England teammate Andrew Flintoff, who is now the team's head coach.Stokes' return to the Hundred is a significant development, as he has not played in the competition since its inaugural season in 2021. Despite being named in England's squads, he has opted to rest between Test series to manage a chronic knee injury. However, he has now been cleared to play four group-stage games for the Superchargers, starting with an away fixture against Birmingham Phoenix on August 6.Stokes' previous appearance in the Hundred was marred by a severe panic attack, which he has since spoken about openly in his documentary "Phoenix from the Ashes." The incident prompted him to take a break from the game later that year.The Hundred's schedule this year coincides with the third Test against West Indies, which means that England's star players will be unavailable for the first week of the tournament. However, the batters will be released to play straight after the Test, while the allrounders and bowlers will be made available from August 6 onwards.In addition to Stokes, several other notable players have been confirmed for the Hundred. Tim Southee has replaced Naseem Shah at Phoenix, while Mitchell Santner will deputise for Daniel Sams at Superchargers. Riley Meredith and James Neesham have signed short-term deals as cover for Joe Root and Zak Crawley respectively.The ECB is expected to confirm a number of injury replacements on Thursday, with Will Smeed and Tash Farrant both set to miss the competition with hamstring injuries.

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PCB Refuses NOCs to Top Players for Franchise Tournaments

PCB Refuses NOCs to Top Players for Franchise Tournaments

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is on a collision course with some of the country's top cricketers after refusing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Naseem Shah for the Hundred tournament. The PCB is also expected to reject NOCs for several other all-format players for upcoming franchise tournaments.The decision means that Birmingham Phoenix will lose out on Naseem's services for the Hundred, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam will not be allowed to play in the Global T20 League Canada. The PCB's reasoning is that it wants to manage the workload of its all-format players ahead of Pakistan's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.However, the decision has raised questions about the PCB's commitment to allowing players to participate in overseas franchise leagues. The three-year central contracts signed last year allowed for two overseas franchise leagues per year, as long as those tournaments did not clash with the player's international commitments.The PCB's decision to withdraw players from leagues that do not directly clash with international cricket is likely to cause discontent among the affected players. It also raises questions about whether the allowance made in central contracts is being respected in spirit.The past month has seen an uneasy quiet take hold after Pakistan's disastrous T20 World Cup campaign. However, there have been signs that events are beginning to gather speed, with Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq sacked from the PCB selection committee.The PCB's decision to refuse NOCs to all-format players for upcoming franchise tournaments is a significant development. It remains to be seen how the players will react and whether the PCB will be able to maintain its hardline stance.

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Harry Brook Named Captain of Northern Superchargers for Men's Hundred

Harry Brook Named Captain of Northern Superchargers for Men's Hundred

Harry Brook, the rising star of English cricket, has been entrusted with the captaincy of Northern Superchargers for the upcoming men's Hundred tournament. This appointment marks a significant milestone in Brook's career, as he is widely regarded as a potential successor to Jos Buttler as England's white-ball captain.Brook's previous captaincy experience includes leading the England Under-19 team in the 2018 World Cup in New Zealand. However, this is his first captaincy role at the professional level. The decision to appoint Brook as captain was made by incoming head coach Andrew Flintoff, who has been working closely with the England white-ball team in recent months."It's an honor to captain Northern Superchargers, and I'm really excited for it," Brook said. "It's always special to play at Headingley and to represent the area, and to do that as captain in the Hundred this year will be extra special."Brook's appointment as captain is a testament to his exceptional talent and leadership qualities. In his most recent appearance for Superchargers, he played one of the greatest innings in Hundred history, scoring an unbeaten 102 from 42 balls against Welsh Fire at Headingley. This performance helped him earn a place in the England squad for the 50-over World Cup.The Superchargers squad boasts a star-studded lineup, including England Test captain Ben Stokes, West Indies' Nicholas Pooran, and Brook's England teammates Adil Rashid and Reece Topley. The team was recently bolstered by the signing of former England opener Jason Roy, who replaces the suspended Brydon Carse."I really like the look of the squad we've formed, and I think there's a lot to be excited about," Brook said. "I can't wait to work with Freddie and the rest of the group and hopefully it'll be a year to remember."In the women's team, Hollie Armitage will continue as captain, alongside head coach Dani Hazell. The team finished as runners-up to Southern Brave in the 2023 campaign and will be looking to go one step further this year.

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Kate Cross Eyes T20 World Cup Return with Hundred Performance

Kate Cross Eyes T20 World Cup Return with Hundred Performance

Kate Cross, England's experienced seam bowler, remains hopeful of securing a spot in the T20 World Cup squad despite her recent absence from the format. Cross returned to the ODI side for England's emphatic victory over New Zealand, but her sights are set on the upcoming Hundred tournament as an opportunity to showcase her skills and earn a recall to the T20 team.Cross has not featured in a T20I since December 2019 and has not taken a wicket in the format since the Women's Ashes in 2019. However, she is determined to prove her worth to head coach Jon Lewis and convince him to include her in the squad for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October."Lewy's said, 'never say never,' with T20 cricket, he's said he's definitely not ruled me out for future series or games," Cross said. "But I can just control what I can control and I know I've got the Hundred coming up where I'll be able to open the bowling and try and finish games off for the Superchargers."Cross acknowledges that the competition for places in the T20 team is fierce, but she is confident in her abilities and believes that the Hundred will provide her with the perfect platform to demonstrate her value."So for me, that's my opportunity to showcase to him what I can do and if that's good enough, it's good enough, and if it's not, then I'll obviously support the girls from quite a distance as I won't be in Bangladesh."If Cross is overlooked for the T20 World Cup, she will have the ODI World Cup in India next year to aim for. However, her focus remains on the immediate task of helping England win the current ODI series against New Zealand and continuing to develop her game."We are probably more focused on the T20 World Cup at the minute, obviously that's the one more in front of us, but we're still trying to evolve our 50-over game as well to make sure that we are as well prepared as we possibly can be when it gets to that Ashes series," Cross said.Cross believes that England's recent success in white-ball cricket is a testament to the team's growing maturity and ruthlessness. She is confident that the team can continue to improve and achieve even greater things in the future."That's where winning games of cricket, how we are at the minute, is really pleasing because we're playing what's in front of us and as we keep moving forward as a group and learning how best to play conditions, then hopefully what we're learning from these series, we'll travel over and we'll be able to keep that ruthless nature and take that into big ICC events and obviously that'll stand you in good stead to win trophies."

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Jason Roy Secures Hundred Lifeline with Northern Superchargers

Jason Roy Secures Hundred Lifeline with Northern Superchargers

Jason Roy, a pivotal member of England's 2019 World Cup-winning squad, has secured a lifeline in the Hundred after being overlooked in the March draft. The Northern Superchargers, led by Andrew Flintoff, have signed Roy as a replacement player, offering him a chance to showcase his skills in the upcoming tournament.Roy's release from the Oval Invincibles, the defending Hundred champions, came after a disappointing season where he averaged a mere 17.11. Despite entering the draft with a £100,000 reserve price, none of the eight teams deemed his recent form worthy of a high salary.However, the Superchargers have recognized Roy's potential and have offered him a contract as a replacement for Brydon Carse, who is ineligible to play due to a recent betting ban. The details of Roy's contract remain undisclosed, as replacement players can negotiate salaries directly with teams within the overall salary cap.Roy's availability for the Superchargers' opening match is uncertain due to his commitments in Major League Cricket. He is scheduled to represent the Los Angeles Knight Riders, and the tournament's final coincides with the Superchargers' season opener.Flintoff, who is taking over as the Superchargers' coach this year, has been gradually involved in England's white-ball backroom staff. He is currently with the squad in Guyana ahead of their T20 World Cup semi-final.Roy's signing marks a significant addition to the Superchargers' squad. Despite a quiet start to the English season, he remains a dangerous batsman capable of turning matches on its head. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they aim to challenge for the Hundred title.

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IPL Franchises Eye Stake in London Spirit as Hundred Privatization Looms

IPL Franchises Eye Stake in London Spirit as Hundred Privatization Looms

The Hundred, England's domestic 100-ball cricket competition, is attracting interest from Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. According to Mark Nicholas, the MCC president and future chairman of London Spirit, five IPL teams have expressed a "soft" interest in acquiring a stake in the Lord's-based franchise.This development comes as MCC considers accepting the ECB's offer of a 51% stake in London Spirit as part of the Hundred's privatization drive. Under the proposed model, the eight Hundred "hosts" will receive majority stakes in their respective teams, with the ECB selling the remaining 49% to private investors through a bidding process.Nicholas emphasized the importance of member support for MCC's decision, describing the move towards private equity as a "monumental" step that will ultimately benefit cricket at all levels. He highlighted the global boom in cricket franchises and the need for English cricket to capitalize on this opportunity.The ECB has appointed Raine Group and Deloitte as advisors for the Hundred privatization. While there is no formal deadline, the ECB aims to finalize terms by the end of the year. However, Nicholas acknowledged that several issues still need to be resolved, including the bidding process and the rollout of franchises.The World Cricket Connects symposium, hosted by MCC on July 5, will provide a platform for influential figures in cricket to discuss the future of the game. BCCI secretary Jay Shah, senior IPL officials, and prominent current and former cricketers are expected to attend. Nicholas believes it is crucial to listen to the voices of potential bidders, who have driven the success of cricket franchises worldwide.

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Shaheen Afridi Withdraws from Hundred, Eyes Global T20

Shaheen Afridi Withdraws from Hundred, Eyes Global T20

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's star fast bowler, has withdrawn from the Hundred tournament to potentially join Canada's Global T20 league. This move comes as a significant blow to the Hundred, which is set to clash directly with the Global T20 in 2024.Afridi, who played for Welsh Fire in the Hundred last year, was retained on a £100,000 contract for the 2024 season. However, he has now pulled out, citing a desire to spend time with his family.The ECB confirmed Afridi's withdrawal on Monday, expressing disappointment but understanding his decision. Afridi stated, "I'm sad to miss out on playing for Welsh Fire this year. I enjoyed the Hundred a lot last season, and I was excited about being back in Cardiff."According to ESPNcricinfo, Afridi's official explanation to the ECB was his reluctance to commit to spending four weeks away from his family. The Hundred runs from July 23 to August 18, requiring players to report a few days before their opening match.Pakistan players are limited to two No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) per season for foreign leagues due to their central contracts with the PCB. Afridi has already committed to the Desert Vipers in the UAE's ILT20.Instead of using his second NOC on the Hundred, Afridi is considering the Global T20, which is set to return for a fourth season in 2024. The league is expected to run from July 25 to August 11, a slightly shorter window than the Hundred.The Global T20 has faced some challenges in the past, including reports of late or non-payment issues. FICA recommends that players request advanced payment before participating.Matt Henry, the New Zealand seamer, has been confirmed as Afridi's replacement at Welsh Fire. He may miss the start of the tournament if his MLC franchise reaches the play-offs.The ECB's decision to open the Hundred up to private investment is partly driven by the need to compete with salaries offered in other leagues. Four other Pakistan players are under contract in the men's Hundred for 2024: Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim, and Usama Mir.

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ECB Privatizes Hundred, Aims for World's Second-Biggest Franchise League

ECB Privatizes Hundred, Aims for World's Second-Biggest Franchise League

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is embarking on a bold initiative to privatize the Hundred, its flagship franchise league, with the aim of elevating it to the status of the world's second-largest after the Indian Premier League (IPL). The board has appointed financial advisors and legal counsel to facilitate the sale process, which is targeted for completion by the end of 2023.The counties have expressed their support for the ECB's proposed "direction of travel," recognizing the potential financial benefits of selling stakes in the eight Hundred teams to private investors. The ECB currently owns all the teams, but the sale is expected to attract interest from IPL owners and private equity firms.The proceeds from the sale will be distributed in a structured manner. Initially, the ECB will transfer 51% of the shares in each team to the host counties, who will then decide whether to retain all, some, or none of their stakes. The ECB will then sell its remaining 49% stake, with 10% allocated to the recreational game in England and Wales.The remaining proceeds will be shared among the counties, with the first £275 million distributed equally among all 19 first-class counties and MCC. The next £150 million will be shared among the 11 non-host counties, and any proceeds exceeding £425 million will be distributed equally among all 19 counties.Vikram Banerjee, the ECB's director of business operations, emphasized the transformative potential of the privatization move. "We have identified this moment as the opportunity to take the Hundred to the next level while capitalizing on the global interest in the competition to underpin the structure of the whole domestic game," he said.The ECB believes that the Hundred will play a crucial role in the future of cricket in England and Wales. The board is seeking strategic partners with the expertise to elevate the competition and ensure that the benefits extend to all levels of the sport.The Raine Group, which has advised on recent sales processes at Chelsea and Manchester United, will lead the search for investors and negotiate the terms of investment. Deloitte will provide strategic advice, while Latham & Watkins and Onside Law will serve as legal co-counsel.The Hundred will run from July 23 to August 18 this year, and the ECB hopes to showcase the competition's potential to prospective investors. However, the first six days of the season will overlap with Major League Cricket, which could impact the availability of overseas players.

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Mark Nicholas Steps Down from Southern Brave to Focus on MCC Role

Mark Nicholas Steps Down from Southern Brave to Focus on MCC Role

Mark Nicholas, the former Hampshire captain and current MCC president, has stepped down as chair of Southern Brave's board. This decision aligns with his impending role as MCC chair, which coincides with the potential for MCC to become majority owners of London Spirit.Nicholas's departure from Southern Brave, a joint venture between Hampshire and Sussex, stems from his increasing involvement with MCC. He has been instrumental in communicating with MCC members regarding the proposed changes to the ownership structure of Hundred teams. The ECB plans to grant 51% stakes to team hosts, with MCC poised to acquire a significant share in London Spirit.MCC has been exploring the possibility of owning a stake in London Spirit since late last year. Nicholas has expressed his support for this move, envisioning MCC as the unifying force behind a single team. The global prominence of Lord's, MCC's home ground, makes London Spirit a highly lucrative investment.If MCC acquires a majority stake in London Spirit, the potential windfall could be used to enhance the MCC Foundation, invest in the club's museum, and upgrade facilities at Lord's. Recently, MCC received approval for a £61.8 million redevelopment of the Allen and Tavern Stands.Nicholas's resignation from Southern Brave's board is a testament to his growing responsibilities at MCC. As he prepares to assume the role of chair in October, he will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of MCC and its potential involvement in the Hundred.

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