David Warner, the former Australia batting dynamo, will make his Hundred debut with London Spirit in 2025, signing on after Wednesday’s draft on 12 March. The 38-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2024, brings his box-office flair to Lord’s—his first stint in the competition after Southern Brave nabbed him for the Covid-scuppered 2020 edition, only to see him bypassed since.
Yet England’s record Test wicket-taker, James Anderson, found no takers. At 42, Anderson—fresh off an unsold stint at this year’s IPL auction—hoped to join Lancashire’s all-format summer with a Hundred gig. No dice, nor for 16-year-old Rocky Flintoff, son of England legend Andrew, whose draft dreams stalled despite his U19 century last year.
Spirit doubled down, pairing Warner with England all-rounder Jamie Overton in the top £200,000 bracket. Oval Invincibles skipper Sam Billings, who steered his side to titles in 2023 and 2024, told BBC Sport: “Any competition with David Warner in it, benefits. He is box office, it’s very different playing with him to playing against him! But I’ve learned a huge amount from him as a player and in terms of leadership. I can’t speak highly enough of him.” Warner’s reunion with ex-Australia coach Justin Langer, now at Spirit’s helm, adds intrigue.
Elsewhere, the £200,000 club grew: Southern Brave snagged New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell, Trent Rockets nabbed ex-England seamer David Willey, and Manchester Originals opted for Afghanistan’s wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad. Glenn Maxwell pulled out, leaving Australia’s draft mark to Warner. Brave bolstered their pace with Reece Topley joining Jofra Archer, Tymal Mills, and Chris Jordan—a quartet to watch from 5 August. Originals added Champions Trophy star Rachin Ravindra, while Zak Crawley swapped Spirit for Northern Superchargers, eyeing Test form in the 100-ball fray. A May wildcard draft will fine-tune squads with domestic standouts.
In the women’s competition, England captain Heather Knight re-signed with Spirit after her 271-run haul clinched the 2024 title. “She’s crucial,” a Spirit insider noted, as Issy Wong—seeking an England recall after a lean Phoenix spell—joins her. Welsh Fire, last year’s runners-up, held onto Sophia Dunkley and added leg-spinner Katie Levick. Phoenix, with first pick, targeted Scholfield, Dunkley, and Knight but lost out to Right to Match clauses, settling for Australia’s Georgia Voll, 21, and England’s Emma Lamb.
Youth shone through: Trent Rockets picked Essex all-rounder Jodi Grewcock, 20, and Originals chose wicketkeeper Seren Smale, 20, both at £36,000. Overseas flair rounded out the draft—Sophie Devine and Chloe Tryon bolster Brave, while Deandra Dottin stays with Originals. With 37 men’s and 29 women’s slots filled from over 800 hopefuls, the Hundred’s fifth year promises fireworks—Warner’s swagger, Knight’s steel, and a fresh crop ready to prove their mettle.
