Kieron Pollard joins London Spirit as top men’s draft pick for 2022 Hundred

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West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard was the first pick of the 2022 men’s Hundred draft while Australia’s World Cup winners dominated the opening women’s selections.

The 34-year-old Pollard will join London Spirit after going for the highest possible price of £125,000 when the draft took place behind closed doors on Monday.

Spirit, who finished bottom of last season’s standings, also snapped up England international spinner Liam Dawson, at the same price as Pollard, and Australian fast bowler Riley Meredith for £75,000.

Daniel Bell-Drummond has made the switch from Birmingham Phoenix to Eoin Morgan’s side, along with Jordan Thompson from Northern Superchargers and they will join the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Zak Crawley and Mark Wood, who have all been retained by Spirit.

Dawson said: “It’s an honour but I was surprised to be one of the first picks in the draft for The Hundred this year.”

Welsh Fire bolstered their batting with the signing of Joe Clarke for £125k.

Australian spinner Adam Zampa and South African batter David Miller will also be heading to Cardiff as the overseas signings alongside Pakistan paceman Naseem Shah. Fire also re-signed Somerset batter Tom Banton.

“To be second pick in the Hundred Draft is really quite something,” Clarke said. “I’m honoured that Welsh Fire have chosen me to join their side. I can’t wait to be at Sophia Gardens this summer giving it our all in front of a packed house.

“We’ve got the makings of a great side and we want to be up the top of the table.”

Australian stars were in high demand in the women’s draft, with Spirit swooping for Beth Mooney and Megan Schutt just two days after they helped their country to victory over England in the World Cup final.

England captain Heather Knight was retained by the Lord’s-based side, who also added New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr. The 21-year-old was initially selected by Southern Brave but missed the first edition of the tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic.

England opener Tammy Beaumont made the switch from Spirit to Welsh Fire where she will be joined by Australian duo Rachael Haynes and Annabel Sutherland, with the former having finished as the second-highest run scorer at the World Cup.

West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews completes the overseas contingent at Fire, with former England pair Fran Wilson and Alex Hartley also moving to Cardiff from Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals respectively.