David Warner has made a bold career move by throwing his name in the hat for the draft in The Hundred.
At 38, the former Australian opener is looking to secure one of just eight international places available in the upcoming men’s competition, despite being snubbed in last year’s draft.
Despite never featuring in England’s showpiece white-ball event before, Warner is among 22 Australians to put themselves forward, setting his reserve price tag at £120,000.
Following his retirement from all forms of international cricket last year, this may well be Warner’s last chance at earning a shot at the 100-ball-an-innings format.
But he will face stiff competition to do so, with a host of star players also in the hat.
Among his fellow compatriots available for selection at the same price are all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, wicket-keeper Josh Inglis and Adam Zampa.
All of the above names featured in Australia’s Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to India, while Jake Fraser-McGurk has put himself in the lower £78,500 bracket.
Warner enters the draft off the back a strong Big Bash League campaign, where he led Sydney Thunder to the final.
The batsman’s 405 runs was the second-most in the tournament, with his captaincy coming after the lifetime leadership ban imposed by Cricket Australia for his role in the sandpaper scandal was lifted.
And if Warner is to be picked for The Hundred, English fans will be quick to remind him of his involvement in the controversy.
Alongside then-captain Steve Smith, the 38-year-old was banned from elite cricket for a year after being found guilty of ball-tampering during a 2018 Test match against South Africa.
Opening batter Cameron Bancroft, who carried out the act, was also suspended for nine months.
GettySandpaper scandal ringleaders Warner and Smith have won the Ashes together on three occasions[/caption]
GettyThe Aussie enjoyed an all-action 2024/25 Big Bash League campaign, including breaking his bat in a clash with the Hobart Hurricanes[/caption]
Warner was found to have orchestrated the ball-tampering plan, while Smith was aware but did not do anything to stop it.
Since returning to the sport, both players have been subject to hostile receptions from English crowds, with fans taunting them by holding up sandpaper during the first test of the 2019 Ashes.
And there could be plenty more drama in store should Warner be selected for the Hundred, with fellow ringleader Smith already set to feature for the Cardiff-based Welsh Fire in the summer.
Since calling time on his international career, Warner has struggled as a freelancer.
He was unexpectedly snubbed in the 2025 IPL draft held last November, but picked up a contract to represent the Karachi Kings in the upcoming Pakistan Super League, which begins next April.
And he will be looking to follow this up with a debut in The Hundred, which kicks off in August.
The draft takes place next Wednesday, on March 12, with some standout homegrown names also in the hat.
Rocky Flintoff, the 16-year-old son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, is among those up for grabs.
England‘s all-time leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson is another star available for selection.
He will turn 43 shortly before the competition begins, having never featured in it before.
