The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and all eight teams in The Hundred have announced new selection policies for the upcoming season. These policies will prioritize players’ cricketing skills, availability, and each team’s needs during the auction. This announcement comes amid speculation that players from Pakistan might be overlooked for the first auction.
According to reports from BBC Sport, four franchises linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL)—Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds—could potentially skip selecting Pakistan players. In response to these concerns, the ECB made a clear statement about its commitment to inclusivity, saying that nationality should not influence player selection. All players will be evaluated based on their performance and availability, no matter where they come from.
The ECB stressed, “As the governing body of the tournament, we are dedicated to ensuring there is no discrimination. There are regulations in place to tackle any such issues. Players must not be excluded based on their nationality.”
The statement continued, “All teams agree that selection will focus solely on cricket skills, availability, and the unique needs of each team.” This goal reflects the ECB’s broader aim to make cricket more inclusive, providing opportunities for players from all backgrounds.
Ebrowd to feature top talent from around the globe, the ECB is committed to making The Hundred a benchmark for inclusivity in sports.
### Reactions from The Hundred Franchises
After the ECB’s announcement, MI London stated that they will adhere to the criteria set by the board, welcoming players from various nationalities without prejudice.
“MI London is dedicated to making The Hundred an inclusive and open competition. All players will be judged solely on their skills and availability, without regard for nationality,” they confirmed.
The first-ever Hundred auction is scheduled to take place on March 11 and 12.
