The Hundred 2025: Wildcard Drafts and Team Updates

Oval Invincibles have reinforced their bowling options by securing Pakistani spinner Zafar Gohar in the wildcard draft for The Hundred 2025.

A significant development in the men’s wildcard selections sees veteran English bowler James Anderson making his debut in The Hundred this summer, having signed with Manchester Originals.

James Anderson’s T20 Return

The 42-year-old Anderson, who recently returned to T20 cricket after more than a decade, has claimed 14 wickets in eight matches for Lancashire in the Vitality Blast. He was initially not drafted in March but was later signed for £31,000 on Tuesday.

Rocky Flintoff Joins Northern Superchargers

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Rocky Flintoff has been picked by the Northern Superchargers. The team is coached by his father, former England captain Andrew Flintoff. This is despite Rocky’s lack of professional T20 experience.

His impressive performances, including centuries for England Lions in Australia and England U-19s against India, have clearly made an impression on selectors.

Overseas and Squad Updates

Southern Brave has become the first team to bring in an overseas wildcard, choosing Australia’s Hilton Cartwright.

They recently brought in Jason Roy to replace Faf du Plessis and have also added Hampshire’s Toby Albert, who might be used as wicketkeeper due to injury concerns surrounding Finn Allen and Laurie Evans.

Welsh Fire has added depth to their squad with Glamorgan allrounder and ambidextrous spinner Ben Kellaway, following a successful county season.

Trent Rockets has signed Ben Sanderson, following his impressive T20 campaign for Northamptonshire, and have also secured Callum Parkinson and Dillon Pennington. Pennington will be replacing the injured John Turner.

Yorkshire’s James Wharton and Will Luxton were omitted despite their strong T20 Blast performances.

Women’s Wildcard Drafts

In the women’s wildcard draft, Manchester Originals have signed Esmae MacGregor after her impressive 21-wicket haul in the Blast for Essex. Birmingham Phoenix has picked up Mary Taylor, reuniting her with her twin sister Millie.

The Hundred 2025 is scheduled to commence on August 5 with a double-header featuring London Spirit and Oval Invincibles at Lord’s.

Zafar Gohar’s Credentials

Regarding the Invincibles’ wildcard choice, the 30-year-old Pakistani spinner has been a consistent performer in the ongoing Vitality Blast 2025.

Representing Gloucestershire, he has secured 11 wickets in 12 matches with an economy rate of 9.00.

Gohar has featured in 82 T20 matches, securing 85 wickets at an economy rate of 7.88.

Internationally, he has represented Pakistan in one Test and one ODI, remaining wicketless in the Test format but claiming two wickets in the 50-over game.

Across 93 first-class matches, the spinner has taken 327 wickets at an economy rate of 3.10, which includes 21 five-wicket hauls.

Men’s Hundred wildcards (all £31,000):
Women’s Hundred wildcards (all £10,000):