Australia batsman David Warner and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis have pulled out of the inaugural season of The Hundred due to complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday. Southern Brave contracted both Warner and Stoinis on deals worth £100,000 and £80,000 respectively, but have opted to pull out of the competition. Both players selected in Australia's preliminary squad for white-ball tours against West Indies and Bangladesh, which overlap with the Hundred's window from July 21-August 21.
The first edition of The Hundred League was to be held last year. But was postponed due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus epidemic. Now, this year its first season is to be played from July 21 to August 21. Australia will tour West Indies and Bangladesh during the tournament.
In a statement, ECB said, "It is obviously disappointing to lose players with the ability of David and Marcus. But the realities of COVID means there are practicalities that are difficult for some overseas players to overcome. Replacement overseas players will sign by Southern Brave. We look forward to The Hundred showcasing world-class cricket this summer."
India's T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and deputy Smriti Mandhana will be representing Manchester Originals and Southern Brave respectively in the upcoming edition of The Hundred. According to the sources, Shafali is the fifth Indian woman player to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play in the tournament.
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