London [UK], July 15 : Ageless seamer James Anderson is set to play for the first time in the Hundred after earning a 'wildcard' contract with Manchester Originals. Meanwhile, former England star Andrew Flintoff's son, Rocky, has been selected by the Northern Superchargers, a team where his father serves as the head coach.
After 11 years of absence, Anderson, who will turn 43 this month, returned to the T20 format, served as a new ball specialist and scalped 14 wickets in eight appearances for Lancashire in the Vitality Blast. Initially, Anderson wasn't selected in the Hundred draft, which was held in March. However, Originals acquired Anderson's services after picking him up in Tuesday's 'wildcard' draft.
Rocky's selection, on the other hand, has raised some eyebrows, considering the 17-year-old has never played a professional T20 match. However, he has shown his potential with a blistering century for the England Lions against Australia. He recently struck a ton for England's Under-19s against India.
Elsewhere, Glamorgan all-rounder and ambidextrous spinner Ben Kellaway has signed for Welsh Fire after his breakout season at county level. Trent Rockets brought in Ben Sanderson, who savoured his best T20 season for Northamptonshire this year.
In the women's wildcard draft, Manchester Originals signed Esmae MacGregor, following her 21 Blast wickets for Essex. Mary Taylor joined her twin sister, Millie, at the Birmingham Phoenix.
Men's Hundred wildcards:
Trent Rockets: Callum Parkinson, Ben Sanderson
Birmingham Phoenix: Liam Patterson-White, Louis Kimber
Welsh Fire: Ajeet Singh Dale, Ben Kellaway
Northern Superchargers: James Fuller, Rocky Flintoff
Manchester Originals: James Anderson, Marchant de Lange
London Spirit: Sean Dickson, Ryan Higgins
Oval Invincibles: George Scrimshaw, Zafar Gohar
Southern Brave: Toby Albert, Hilton Cartwright
Women's Hundred wildcards:
Birmingham Phoenix: Mary Taylor, Phoebe Brett
London Spirit: Abi Norgrove, Kate Coppack
Manchester Originals: Esmae MacGregor, Darcey Carter
Northern Superchargers: Katherine Fraser, Sophia Turner
Oval Invincibles: Daisy Gibb, Rebecca Odgers
Southern Brave: Phoebe Turner, Amara Carr
Trent Rockets: Grace Thompson, Sophie Morris
Welsh Fire: Charley Phillips, Alex Griffiths.