Sussex Players Selected in Hundred Draft

£390,000: that's the value of James Coles as London Spirit continued to wave their bat in the air at yesterday's The Hundred auction until they finally fought off the competition of SunRisers Leeds to secure their man.

Andy Flower, Head Coach of Spirit and brother to Sussex Batting Coach, Grant Flower, expressed his desire at securing Coles' services this summer following the auction, that also saw five other Sussex representatives go under the hammer and find their respective franchises.

Jofra Archer was retained by Southern Brave so, although he will feature in this year's edition, his name, like many other notable names, were not in the spotlight for yesterday's draft. And what this means is that Coles didn't just steal the show, he was the show. £90k more expensive than the second most pricey in Jordan Cox, a fabulous winter with Sunrisers Eastern Cape - as well as a stellar summer with the Sharks last season - bolstered his price tag to a whopping amount.

A day previous, though, and there was another success story. At just 17 years of age Eve O'Neill revelled in a fabulous debut season with Alexia Walker's Sharks, consistently in the wicket column. Much to her surprise having learned at late notice, Birmingham Phoenix chose O'Neill in the draft for £15k - another fantastic achievement for our women's side.

It's an already strong and yet still increasing list of players who either began their careers or made their careers with Sussex Women. Linsey Smith joins O'Neill at Birmingham Phoenix for this year's competition, whilst Freya Kemp and Ella McCaughan head to Welsh Fire. Paige Scholfield will feature for Manchester Super Giants with Tara Norris and Dani Wyatt-Hodge teaming up to play for MI London. Other notable Sussex names in Georgia Adams, Georgia Elwiss and Millie Taylor were selected by Trent Rockets, with Cassidy McCarthy picked up by Sunrisers Leeds. An extensive catalogue of talent, all coming through the Sussex pathway.

And back to the men's side to cap off this year's Hundred roundup, starting with Tymal Mills who swaps Southern Brave colours for that of London Spirit, joining up with Coles. Brad Currie is on his way to Trent Rockets, so too returning spinner Danny Briggs. For Tom Alsop, he'll be back in The Hundred, this time featuring for Sunrisers Leeds.

We wish all Sussex representatives the very best at this year's instalment of The Hundred.