The Cricketer breaks down all the signings, and the signings which never materialised, in the women's draft for the 2023 Hundred...
Players signed in the draft: Sophie Devine (New Zealand, £31,250), Hannah Baker (£18,750), Eve Jones (£18,750), Katie Levick (£15,000)
Phoenix used their right to match to retain Sophie Devine in the face of interest from Welsh Fire.
"I had such a good time with the Phoenix last year, and Edgbaston is one of the best grounds to play cricket," Devine said after being drafted.
"With tournaments like this, you can't still and that's what makes it really exciting."
Young English leg-spinner Hannah Baker is a fascinating pick relatively early in the draft, after impressing in the Under-19 World Cup. She will likely lead the spin attack.
Eve Jones is back at the club, and there's an interesting move for Katie Levick - the wily bowler who was previously on the books of Northern Superchargers and will offer plenty of support to Baker in the spin department.
Players signed in the draft: Grace Harris (Australia, £31,250), Sarah Glenn (£25,000), Sophie Munro (£18,750), Sophie Luff (£15,000)
Australian allrounder Grace Harris was fourth pick in the draft, and promises a fascinating cog in the Spirit machine following excellent recent displays in the WPL and WBBL.
A curious third spinner signing in the shape of Sarah Glenn was the Spirit's first English acquisition. Sophie Munro will play a big part in the seam department and was a surprise signing at £18,750.
Sophie Luff, who recently stepped down as Somerset captain, returns for a second season and has an existing relationship with Spirit captain and Western Storm teammate Heather Knight.
India batter Harmanpreet Kaur in action for Manchester Originals in 2022 [Getty Images]
Players signed in the draft: Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa, £31,250), Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia, £25,000), Kathryn Bryce (£18,750), Katie George (£15,000)
Perhaps surprisingly, Northern Superchargers did not use their right to match for the South African, who has been in fine form in franchise and international cricket, allowing Manchester Originals to take their pick. Amanda-Jade Wellington, who has had success in the competition, seems like a smart signing by Manchester for Old Trafford's dimensions. There's a spin focus at the Originals in 2023.
Scottish allrounder Kathryn Bryce, formerly of Trent Rockets, appears an astute selection.
Players signed in the draft: Kate Cross (£31,250), Georgia Wareham (£25,000), Heather Graham (£25,000), Alice Davidson-Richards (£18,750)
An intriguing move early in the draft process, as England international Kate Cross traverses the Pennines to go from Manchester Originals to Northern Superchargers. It was a surprise, though, that Manchester didn't use their RTM option.
Superchargers add another two Aussies to their roster, alongside Alyssa Healy, in the shape of allrounders Heather Graham and leggie Georgia Wareham. England allrounder Alice Davidson-Richards is back for another campaign, plucked by right-to-match from under the noses of London Spirit.
England international Sophia Dunkley in Southern Brave colours in 2022 [Getty Images]
Players signed in the draft: Suzie Bates (New Zealand, £31,250), Dane van Niekerk (South Africa, £18,750), Mady Villiers (£15,000), Paige Scholfield (£15,000)
Kiwi batter Suzie Bates was Invincibles' first selection in the draft. Bates may well be captaincy material once again for Oval after leading the side to glory last year, though the re-signing of Dane van Niekerk – the winning captain for Invincibles in 2021 – throws that wide open too. Van Niekerk will play alongside her wife, Marizanne Kapp, at the Invincibles, where she struggled for a place last year.
Mady Villiers, a spinner who can hit a long ball down the order, bolsters the variation in the Invincibles' roster. Oval had to use their right to match card to take Villiers from the hands of Trent Rockets.
Players signed in the draft: Danni Wyatt (£31,250), Anya Shrubsole (£25,000), Chloe Tryon (South Africa, £25,000), Maitlan Brown (Australia, £18,750)
Danni Wyatt was claimed from the grasp of Welsh Fire, as Brave used their right to match card early.
"The Ageas Bowl is the best place to play and I can't wait to get going again next summer," she said.
"I had a good chat with Lottie and said I'd love to be back with the Brave."
Anya Shrubsole returns to the Ageas Bowl, presumably as a leadership option.
Brave also pick up South Africa allrounder Chloe Tryon to fill the finisher role. Maitlin Brown was touted pre-draft by Hundred lead Beth Barrett-Wild as a member of Australia's next generation who she'd encouraged to enter the draft.
Kate Cross in action for Manchester Originals in 2022 [Getty Images]
Players signed in the draft: Harmanpreet Kaur (India, £31,250), Lizelle Lee (£18,750), Kirstie Gordon (£15,000), Grace Potts (£15,000)
Harmanpreet Kaur represents a superb signing for the Rockets, and a very reliable middle-order option. She will team up with her Mumbai Indians teammate Nat Sciver-Brunt. More experience arrives in the shape of former South Africa batter-keeper Lizelle Lee - recently retired from international duty, with Richa Ghosh perhaps surprisingly overlooked.
After missing out on Mady Villiers, who was right-to-matched by Oval Invincibles, former England international spinner Kirstie Gordon fills the void.
Players signed in the draft: Sophia Dunkley (£31,250), Shabnim Ismail (South Africa, £31,250), Georgia Elwiss (£18,750), Freya Davies (£18,750), Laura Harris (Australia, £15,000), Alex Hartley (£15,000)
Sophia Dunkley will be one half of Fire's opening pair in 2023, after being claimed third in the draft. She will be joined by South Africa quick Shabnim Ismail, who arrives after two years at Oval Invincibles.
Experienced former England international allrounder Georgia Elwiss adds resolve to the middle order and a few extra overs, while Freya Davies provides powerplay seam and the ability to move the ball. Alex Hartley goes back to Fire for 2023.
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