Ben Sanderson, the second-highest wicket taker in the 2025 Vitality Blast, has joined Trent Rockets as the four Vitality Wildcard picks that complete both squads for the fifth summer of The Hundred have been confirmed.
Northamptonshire seamer Sanderson, who has taken 24 wickets at an average of just 15.91 in the Blast this year, is joined in the men’s squad by Durham left arm-spinner Callum Parkinson.
Alongside that duo, 18-year-old right-arm seamer Grace Thompson of Durham has joined up with the women’s squad, as has Lancashire left-arm spinner Sophie Morris.
Meanwhile, there is Nottinghamshire representation elsewhere, as Liam Patterson-White signs for Birmingham Phoenix, while The Blaze’s Charley Phillips joins Welsh Fire.
The headline signing nationally, however, is that legendary England fast bowler Sir James Anderson, the third-highest Test wicket-taker of all time, has signed for Manchester Originals.
Anderson, who will turn 43 just before the tournament starts, will take part alongside 17-year-old Rocky Flintoff, who has signed for Northern Superchargers, coached by his father Andrew.
Esmae Macgregor of Essex, the leading wicket-taker in the Vitality Blast women’s competition with 21 scalps at 13.38 apiece, will join Anderson at the Originals.
The Hundred Vitality Wildcard Draft gives an opportunity to players previously unselected in The Hundred to earn selection through outstanding performances in the Vitality Blast men’s and women’s competitions across the first three months of the domestic season.
Birmingham Phoenix: Mary Taylor, Phoebe Brett, Liam Patterson-White, Louis Kimber
London Spirit: Abi Norgrove, Kate Coppack, Sean Dickson, Ryan Higgins
Manchester Originals: Esmae Macgregor, Darcey Carter, James Anderson, Marchant de Lange
Northern Superchargers: Katherine Fraser, Sophia Turner, James Fuller, Rocky Flintoff
Oval Invincibles: Daisy Gibb, Rebecca Odgers, George Scrimshaw, Zafar Gohar
Southern Brave: Phoebe Turner, Amara Carr, Toby Albert, Hilton Cartwright
Trent Rockets: Grace Thompson, Sophie Morris, Callum Parkinson, Ben Sanderson
Welsh Fire: Charley Phillips, Alex Griffiths, Ajeet Singh Dale, Ben Kellaway
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