The Hundred 2025: Wildcard Drafts and Team Updates

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

One of the biggest stories from the men’s wildcard selections is the signing of veteran English bowler James Anderson by Manchester Originals, marking his debut in The Hundred this summer.

The 42-year-old, who recently returned to T20 cricket after more than a decade, has claimed 14 wickets in eight matches for Lancashire in the Vitality Blast. Anderson, initially not picked in March, agreed to a £31,000 wildcard contract on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Rocky Flintoff, aged 17, has been drafted by the Northern Superchargers. His father, Andrew Flintoff, a former England captain, coaches the team. This is despite Rocky having no prior professional T20 experience.

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

Southern Brave have made history as the first team to sign an overseas wildcard, choosing Australian Hilton Cartwright. They recently brought in Jason Roy to replace Faf du Plessis and have also added Hampshire’s Toby Albert, who might take on wicket-keeping duties due to concerns over injuries to Finn Allen and Laurie Evans.

Welsh Fire have strengthened their lineup with Glamorgan all-rounder and ambidextrous spinner Ben Kellaway, following his successful county season.

Trent Rockets have picked up Ben Sanderson, rewarded for his excellent T20 campaign with Northamptonshire. They also secured Callum Parkinson and Dillon Pennington, with Pennington stepping in for the injured John Turner.

Despite their strong performances in the T20 Blast, Yorkshire’s James Wharton and Will Luxton were not selected.

In the women’s wildcard draft, Manchester Originals signed Esmae MacGregor after she took 21 wickets in the Blast for Essex. Birmingham Phoenix added Mary Taylor to their squad, reuniting her with her twin sister Millie.

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

Regarding the Invincibles’ wildcard choice, the 30-year-old Pakistani spinner has consistently delivered strong performances in the ongoing Vitality Blast 2025.

Playing for Gloucestershire, he has taken 11 wickets in 12 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 9.00.

Gohar has played 82 T20 matches, securing 85 wickets with an economy rate of 7.88.

He has represented Pakistan in one Test and one ODI, remaining without a wicket 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):