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The eagerly anticipated third installment of The Hundred 2023 kicked off on August 1 in England. This dynamic cricket competition showcases eight vibrant teams: Oval Invincibles, Northern Superchargers, Manchester Originals, Welsh Fire, London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix, Trent Rockets, and Southern Brave. The inception of The Hundred was initiated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2020, with a multifaceted vision. It aimed to provide the young talents of the nation an extraordinary platform to test their mettle against the best players globally. Simultaneously, the tournament aimed to attract substantial investments to foster the growth and development of cricket in the United Kingdom (UK).
One of the standout features of The Hundred is its unique format, characterized by 100 balls per innings, adding an element of excitement and intensity to each match. This condensed and fast-paced version of the game has garnered significant attention and engagement from cricket enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
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In alignment with this vision, team owners have harnessed the opportunity to secure the participation of renowned names in the realm of international cricket for this exhilarating 100-ball tournament. This infusion of star power contributes to the tournament’s appeal and global recognition.
Players from various regions around the globe are participating in the Men’s Hundred 2023. Given that the tournament is taking place in England, the teams are primarily composed of English cricketers. However, there are also several international players who have joined the competition as overseas talents.
Here are the four players, who won the IPL 2023 trophy with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) earlier this year, are playing in the Men’s Hundred right now:
1. Ben Stokes, Northern Superchargers
England’s iconic cricketer and talismanic figure, Ben Stokes has been selected for the Northern Superchargers (NOS) in the Men’s Hundred 2023 tournament. Renowned for his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport, Stokes’ name carries significant weight in the cricketing world. Despite his formidable reputation, Stokes has yet to make a substantial impact in The Hundred, a tournament that he missed in both the 2021 and 2022 editions due to injury and a packed schedule.
England’s red-ball skipper cricketing journey has been nothing short of eventful in recent months. He participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), followed by leading the England cricket team in a one-off Test match against Ireland. Subsequently, he played a pivotal role in the grueling five-match Ashes 2023 series. Given the intensity of his recent engagements, Stokes announced his intention to take a well-deserved vacation following the conclusion of The Ashes.
Amidst this context, the NOS have taken the decision to appoint Wayne Parnell as their captain for the tournament. While it remains unclear whether Stokes will participate in any matches during the competition, he has officially been included in the Superchargers squad. Interestingly, Stokes was notably absent from the team’s opening match against the Birmingham Phoenix, which unfortunately had to be abandoned due to rain.
2. Moeen Ali, Birmingham Phoenix
Moeen Ali‘s journey in the cricketing arena has been nothing short of noteworthy, characterized by his significant contributions to various teams and formats. Earlier this year, he played a pivotal role in the championship victory of the CSK in the cash-rich league. Ali’s all-round abilities, both with the bat and the ball, proved to be crucial for CSK, as he consistently delivered important runs and essential wickets under the leadership of MS Dhoni.
Following his successful stint with CSK , Ali was poised for a well-deserved break. Nevertheless, a twist in his cricketing journey emerged when the England team management extended a request for him to come out of retirement and participate in The Ashes 2023. Responding to the call, the off-spin bowling all-rounder agreed to step back onto the international stage and participated in The Ashes series.
After the conclusion of The Ashes, the right-arm off spinner made a clear statement regarding his future in the red-ball format. He confirmed that he would not be returning to play in red-ball cricket again.
In the realm of the Men’s Hundred 2023 tournament, the veteran cricketer occupies the role of captain for the Birmingham Phoenix (BPH) team. Nonetheless, his participation in the first fixture against the Superchargers was hampered by a groin injury that he sustained during the final Ashes 2023 test at The Oval.
In Ali’s absence, the captaincy duties for the side were shouldered by Benny Howell for the opening fixture.
3. Mitchell Santner, Southern Brave
Mitchell Santner, the versatile cricketer from New Zealand, has been making the most of the extended break for the Blackcaps team by participating in various T20 leagues around the world. With his international commitments on hold, Santner has been actively engaging in cricketing action across different leagues.
In the IPL 2023, Santner was seen donning the jersey of the CSK, contributing his skills to their campaign. After that, the left-arm spinner cricketing journey took him to the United States of America (USA), where he joined the Texas Super Kings (TSK) in the Major League Cricket (MLC). Displaying his prowess as an all-rounder, Santner showcased his abilities in yet another cricketing environment.
Continuing his journey, Santner is now in the United Kingdom, representing the Southern Brave (SOB) team in the third edition of the Men’s Hundred 2023. Under the captaincy of James Vince, Santner has been an integral part of the Brave’s setup, bringing his multifaceted skills to the field. Although he was not included in the playing eleven for the Brave’s first game against Trent Rockets (TRT), his presence on the bench underscores his role as a valuable asset to the team.
Similarly, in the subsequent match against Welsh Fire (WEF), Santner once again found himself on the bench, awaiting the opportunity to contribute to the Southern Brave’s campaign in the Men’s Hundred.
4. Devon Conway, Southern Brave
Devon Conway, a notable wicket-keeper batter from New Zealand, is an essential part of the SOB squad. His cricketing journey has entwined with that of Santner, as they have shared dressing rooms in various leagues and have been teammates in both the New Zealand cricket team and different T20 leagues.
Their camaraderie has been witnessed in franchises like CSK and TSK in the IPL and MLC, respectively.
However, the beginning of his journey in the Men’s Hundred has presented its challenges. Despite his consistent track record, Conway faced a setback in the first two matches of the tournament. Scoring 16 against TRT and 4 against WEF, the southpaw’s start in the competition has not mirrored his usual form. Nonetheless, as an experienced player, he will likely work to bounce back and make valuable contributions to the Brave’s campaign in the tournament.
