James Anderson and Rocky Flintoff are among 32 players selected in the 2025 Vitality Wildcard Draft for The Hundred, with final squads now confirmed ahead of the tournament’s fifth season.
England legend Anderson, 42, was picked up by the Manchester Originals, while 17-year-old Flintoff joins Northern Superchargers, where his father Andrew Flintoff serves as head coach.
The Vitality Wildcard Draft allows standout domestic performers from the Vitality Blast to earn late entry into The Hundred. This year’s selections span all eight men’s and women’s franchises, adding new depth to the squads.
Anderson returns to Manchester, Flintoff joins father at Superchargers
Anderson, who continues to impress in domestic cricket with Lancashire, expressed enthusiasm about joining Manchester Originals:
“I’m really looking forward to The Hundred, and I’m really happy to be part of the Manchester Originals squad. I’ve loved my time with Lancashire this season, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to add value in The Hundred,” said Anderson.
“When you’re at the games you can really see that it does attract a slightly different crowd, a lot of younger people and families, and you can’t underestimate how important that is for our game.”
Essex’s Esmae Macgregor, the leading wicket-taker in this season’s Vitality Blast Women’s Competition, will also join the Originals, while the Superchargers added Katherine Fraser and James Fuller alongside Rocky Flintoff.
Full 2025 Vitality Wildcard Draft selections
- Birmingham Phoenix: Mary Taylor, Phoebe Brett, Liam Patterson-White, Louis Kimber
- London Spirit: Abi Norgrove, Kate Coppack, Sean Dickson, Ryan Higgins
- Manchester Originals: Esmae Macgregor, Darcey Carter, James Anderson, Marchant de Lange
- Northern Superchargers: Katherine Fraser, Sophia Turner, James Fuller, Rocky Flintoff
- Oval Invincibles: Daisy Gibb, Rebecca Odgers, George Scrimshaw, Zafar Gohar
- Southern Brave: Phoebe Turner, Amara Carr, Toby Albert, Hilton Cartwright
- Trent Rockets: Grace Thompson, Sophie Morris, Callum Parkinson, Ben Sanderson
- Welsh Fire: Charley Phillips, Alex Griffiths, Ajeet Singh Dale, Ben Kellaway
Only one overseas player selected
Hilton Cartwright was the lone overseas player chosen in the Wildcard Draft, replacing the injured Faf du Plessis at Southern Brave. Veteran batter Jason Roy will also join Brave in place of du Plessis.
The Wildcard Draft continues to be a crucial pathway for domestic talent to break into The Hundred, rewarding top performers from the season’s early stages.
