Glenn Maxwell has not been picked up in The Hundred tournament in a blow for the allrounder as David Warner is set to make a return to enemy ground having been selected by the London Spirit. Warner has not been sold in the two previous editions of the competition in the UK, but the 38-year-old’s international retirement appears to have changed his position. The London Spirit snapped up the opener for $247,000 in Wednesday’s draft in a massive pay day for the veteran. While Warner did not play in 2024, incoming London Spirit coach Justin Langer clearly felt the Aussie had plenty to give the competition.
Warner will link up with his former international coach later this year in August. And interestingly, his move to London will now reunite him with the Marylebone Cricket Club crowd at Lord’s. Warner and Usman Khawaja had an infamous run in with members of the MCC after Alex Carey stumped Jonny Bairstow during the Ashes. Bairstow’s dismissal caused division with a number of MCC members taking exception to the action from the Aussies. And as Warner and Khawaja returned to the Long Room they got into it with members in ugly scenes.
Australian captain Pat Cummins described the behaviour from the specific members as “aggressive and abusive” at the time. The MCC eventually released an apology with one member being expelled and two others copping a suspension. Warner will now call Lord’s his home for the duration of the tournament, which starts after the IPL. Warner’s involvement in The Hundred is a big win for the Aussie who went unsold in the lucrative Indian T20 tournament. The 38-year-old has scored 6,565 runs at a strike rate of 140 and an average above 40 in his IPL career, but none of the 10 franchises were willing to invest in the veteran opener. This could have all but ended Warner’s involvement in the IPL with the 38-year-old unlikely to be sold next year if he enters the auction. This also comes a huge blow to the tournament as Warner remains a huge fan favourite in India.
Glenn Maxwell and Alyssa Healy snubbed
While Warner might have been surprised with London Spirit’s move to draft him, Maxwell would be disappointed having missed out altogether on a contract. Aussie cricket great Ricky Ponting opted to sign Maxwell to the Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL tournament. However, no English franchise was keen to sign Maxwell who missed out on an extra pay day at the end of the season. This is a surprise after Maxwell performed strongly in the latest BBL tournament for the Melbourne Stars. Langer also snapped up Ashton Turner for the London Spirit, while allrounder Chris Green and paceman Riley Meredith will feature in The Hundred.
In the women’s competition, Alyssa Healy was also surprisingly snubbed having put herself forward in the in the draft. The Australian captain was priced at $134,000 and it appeared no team was keen to pay the price. While Heally missed out, Georgia Voll was the big winner in the draft having impressed recently in the Women’s Premier League in India. Voll ended up recording the equal highest score in WPL history after her remarkable 99 not out against the Royal Challengers. Voll jumped to the top women’s bracket and was snapped up for $134,000 to continue her remarkable rise in the women’s white-ball game.