In a surprising turn of events, England's legendary wicket-taker has announced his intention to participate in The Hundred, a professional 100-ball cricket tournament. The 42-year-old former England fast bowler, who retired from Test cricket last year, has entered the draft for this year's competition. He plans to make his debut in The Hundred, marking his return to white-ball cricket after a significant hiatus.
The distinguished cricketer, renowned for being England's all-time leading wicket-taker, has not played any white-ball cricket since 2019. His last T20 appearance was in the 2014 Blast final, where he played for the Red Rose against Warwickshire. His absence from shorter formats was largely due to his focus on Test cricket, which he prioritized to maintain his fitness.
Moreover, the bowler has signed to play county cricket for Lancashire in the upcoming season, indicating a busy schedule ahead. His decision to enter The Hundred draft on 12 March is a notable shift from his previous stance. Since the tournament's inception in 2021, he had opted out to concentrate on his Test career.
Earlier this year, the cricketer attempted to enter the Indian Premier League auction but went unsold. Despite this setback, his enthusiasm for shorter formats remains undeterred as he sets sights on The Hundred.
The bowler's anticipated participation in The Hundred will reunite him with the shorter formats of the game. Fans are eager to see him in action alongside or against his long-time England new-ball partner, Stuart Broad. This move also marks an opportunity for him to showcase his skills on a new platform and potentially inspire younger players in the league.
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