Shane Warne went head-to-head with seven competing Head Coaches to select the very best players to represent the Lord’s based team in The Hundred next summer.
Chosen from a 570-strong player pool, big hitting Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was the first player picked by the London Spirit. Joining him will be Afghanistan spinner Mohammad Nabi and Mohammad Amir, Pakistani seamer, who were picked from the international player pool.
Warne then quickly snapped up England internationals Mark Wood and Joe Denly, who join England World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan - who was announced as the London Spirit captain on the night.
Rounding out the squad are batsmen Zak Crawley, all-rounders Roelof van der Merwe and Luis Reece, spinner Mason Crane, seamers Kyle Abbott and Jade Dernbach, and wicket-kepper Adam Rossington.
Essex batsman Dan Lawrence and England Test opener Rory Burns, were selected in the first stage of the draft process, earlier this month.
"I’m used to playing a tactical game, but that was something else!"
Warne said: “I’m used to playing a tactical game, but that was something else! Our position in the rounds meant that I had to think on my feet, and at times re-evaluate who I was going to pick and when.
I’m thrilled to have Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Nabi and Mark Wood join Eoin and Rory in the team and can’t wait to see them step up to the crease for London Spirit in the first season of The Hundred.
I think 2020 is shaping up to be a really exciting year for cricket – so many people watched the sport for the first time this summer, and I’m confident The Hundred will get even more people watching next year.
During the evening, London Spirit also announced the signing of Tammy Beaumont to join the women’s team as a marquee player. Beaumont’s signing represents the first announcement of the second stage of the player selection process within the women’s competition. She will join England stars Heather Knight and Freya Davies, who were unveiled in stage one of the process earlier this month.
"There’s so much world-class talent across both competitions and we are keen to get started.”
Tammy Beaumont said: “It’s hugely exciting to be joining Heather [Knight] and Freya [Davies] at London Spirit, and I look forward to when we will know our full squad.
"The competition is obviously getting closer and now we know the names, the kit and the players it’s all starting to feel real. There’s so much world-class talent across both competitions and we are keen to get started.”
The five-week competition will be played at the height of summer, starting July 2020, featuring eight new city-based teams; Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Trent Rockets, Birmingham Phoenix, Welsh Fire, Southern Brave, London Spirit & Oval Invincibles.
For the latest news and priority access to tickets visit thehundred.com