The Hundred: Kane Williamson, Shaheen Afridi opt out of the tournament
The withdrawal list of The Hundred’s inaugural edition is becoming longer by the day, with Kane Williamson and Shaheen Afridi becoming the latest to write their name on it. The New Zealand skipper, plagued by an elbow injury that has troubled him repeatedly over the last year, has withdrawn from his contract with the Edgbaston-based Birmingham Phoenix due to the same reason.
Having successfully led his nation to a historic triumph at the ICC World Test Championship against India, Williamson is currently in the United Kingdom and might be seen mentoring the Phoenix in the tournament. The franchise has named his New Zealand teammate Fin Allen – currently representing Lancashire in the T20 Blast – as a replacement.
Tallying 215 runs from eight innings, Allen’s been in fine form in the ongoing T20 Blast edition, striking only a shade under 139 at an average of 30.71.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s tour to West Indies coinciding with the tournament means that Phoenix will also miss Shaheen Afridi, who has pulled the plugs on the Hundred, preferring his international duty. The tournament might also have to weather the absence of Adam Zampa and Aaron Finch, who both are a part of the Australian squad set to tour the Windies and Bangladesh.
Further from Australia, Nathan Coulter and Kane Richardson have also opted out given the mandatory 14-day quarantine need to be ensured before they embark on the tours to the Caribbean and Bangladesh.
The many opt-outs of the Hundred
David Warner, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, all a part of the national squad for the aforementioned tours, have previously pulled out of the tournament, while both Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard also look set to give at least an initial part of the league a miss due to their international commitments.
Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock and Glenn Phillips have been named Warner and Stoinis’ replacements for the Southern Brave, while London Spirit has roped in Josh Inglis to fill in for Maxwell.
South African pacer Lungi Ngidi is set to join Welsh Fire as a replacement for the opted-out Jhye Richardson, however, Ngidi would be able to provide his services post South Africa’s Ireland tour. From South Africa, Kagiso Rabada is another to have decided to give the 100-ball league a miss.
