Roy gets late Hundred deal as wildcard draft looms

Former England opener Jason Roy has signed a late deal to play in The Hundred after initially failing to secure a contract at this year's draft.

Roy, 34, will play for Southern Brave as an injury replacement for South Africa batter Faf du Plessis.

It comes after Roy found form in the T20 Blast over recent weeks with three scores over 50 in 10 matches for Surrey at an average of 30.10.

Roy played three seasons with Oval Invincibles but was released after a difficult season in 2023 during which he averaged 17.11.

The 2019 World Cup-winner was dropped from England's 2023 World Cup squad later that summer and has not played an international since.

Having been signed by Northern Superchargers last year only to miss the tournament through injury, Roy went unsold at the auction in March.

His signing comes before Tuesday's 'wildcard draft', at which the eight men's and women's franchises will fill the final two places in their squads.

The wildcard picks will be domestic players, with recent form in the T20 Blast expected to be rewarded.

The most intriguing decision will be whether any of the men's franchises opt to sign veteran bowler James Anderson.

After retiring from international duty last year and playing in the T20 format for the first time in 11 years, England's record wicket-taker has taken 13 wickets in six Blast matches for Lancashire this season.

Northamptonshire seamer Ben Sanderson, 36, is the joint-highest wicket-taker in the Blast this season but does not have a Hundred deal.

Another currently without a deal is Hampshire's 23-year-old wicketkeeper Tom Albert, who scored 98 not out against Glamorgan on Sunday and is third on the list of most runs.

Seventeen-year-old Rocky Flintoff, son of legendary former England all-rounder Andrew, will also hope to be picked up, having scored 107 for England Under-19s last week.

Trent Rockets have the first pick in the men's wildcard draft while Southern Brave will have first chance in the women's. The draft takes place on Tuesday from 09:00 BST.