Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell hit jackpot as Aussies cash in at Hundred draft

Aussie batters Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and Tim David have scored the top-bracket price of STG125,000 ($A230,000) for this year's Hundred tournament, cashing in on the ever-increasing popularity of T20 cricket. The draft for English cricket's marquee 100-ball competition took place on Thursday, with a number of Aussies coming out as big winners.

Marsh and Maxwell will play together at the London Spirit, while David will spearhead the Southern Brave's campaign. Ashton Turner was taken by the Manchester Originals in the second-highest price bracket (STG 100,000, $A183,000), while Kane Richardon scored STG 60,000 ($A110,000) from the Birmingham Phoenix and Daniel Sams got STG 50,000 ($A91,000) from the Trent Rockets.

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The first-ever women's draft in UK sport also took place on Thursday, with Northern Super Chargers retaining Aussie wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy, while compatriot Grace Harris will go to London Spirit - both for the top-dollar price of STG 31,250 ($A57,000).

Australia's female cricketers, a number of whom are currently starring in the inaugural Women's Premier League tournament in India, were in great demand on Thursday. All-rounder Ellyse Perry is bound for the Birmingham Phoenix, heading up another five international players who were bought in the second-highest bracket of STG 25,000 ($A46,000).

Mitchell Starc is a high-profile Australian absentee from the men's event, pulling out of consideration on the eve of the draft when he had been expected to fill one of the STG 125,000 slots. A number of Australia's leading female players also pulled out, including Ash Gardner, Tahlia McGrath and national captain Meg Lanning. However the uncapped Maitlan Brown was drafted by the Southern Brave.

Healy and Harris, the highest-earners for Australian women, are currently playing together in the WPL for UP Warriorz. They are preparing for Friday's semi-final eliminator, with the chance to take on Lanning's Delhi Capitals in Sunday's final.

Harris, whose older sister Laura will play at the Welsh Fire, said she couldn't wait to join up with the Lord's-based Spirit team after being the No.2 pick in the draft. "It's such a special venue to play at and I'm incredibly excited to play in front of some big crowds there," she said.

"It's nice to be a part of history by being the second pick in The Hundred draft but when you look at the squads, they're all so strong - it's going to be a great competition."

Australian players in The Hundred draft:

MEN

• STG 125,000 ($A230,000) - Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell (London Spirit), Tim David (Southern Brave)

• STG 100,000 ($A183,000) - Ashton Turner (Manchester Originals)

• STG 60,000 ($A110,000) - Kane Richardson (Birmingham Phoenix)

• STG 50,000 ($A91,000) - Daniel Sams (Trent Rockets)

WOMEN

• STG 31,250 ($A57,000) - Grace Harris (London Spirit), Alyssa Healy (Northern Superchargers)

• STG 25,000 ($A46,000) Ellyse Perry (Birmingham Phoenix), Alana King (Trent Rockets), Amanda-Jade Wellington (Manchester Originals), Georgia Wareham, Heather Graham (Northern Superchargers)

• STG 18,750 ($A34,000) Maitlan Brown (Southern Brave)

• STG 15,000 ($A27,000) Laura Harris (Welsh Fire)

with AAP

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