Michael Hogan earns Hundred wildcard pick in final season

Michael Hogan, the 41-year-old Australian-born seamer, will play in the Hundred this year after he was signed by defending men's champions Southern Brave as a wildcard on Thursday morning.

Hogan announced in December that this would be his final season as a professional cricketer before his retirement but has impressed in the Blast for Glamorgan this season, taking 20 wickets in 11 appearances while bowling in the powerplay and at the death. Brave have an all-star squad which may limit Hogan's opportunities but their wildcard pick last year, Jake Lintott, ended the season as their leading wicket-taker as they won the inaugural tournament.

James Fuller, the Hampshire allrounder, has also been signed as a partial replacement, initially for Quinton de Kock who will miss the first game of the tournament on South Africa duty. He is then expected to replace Finn Allen for the rest of the season, who is set to be named in New Zealand's squad for their away series against West Indies.

Hogan is the most eye-catching signing from Thursday's wildcard draft. Picks are due to be announced later today but ESPNcricinfo can reveal them in full.

Richard Gleeson, who was picked by England for their T20I series against India after a remarkable season in the Blast for Lancashire, was signed by Manchester Originals, who used their 'right-to-match' card to pick him after he withdrew from the tournament last year through injury.

Birmingham Phoenix signed Dan Mousley, the Warwickshire allrounder who bats in the middle order, while Welsh Fire picked George Scrimshaw, the tall Derbyshire seamer who has been called up by England Lions for their series against South Africa next week. Jamie Smith, the Surrey keeper-batter, will play for London Spirit.

Ben Mike, the Leicestershire allrounder, has been picked up by Trent Rockets. Oval Invincibles signed Jack Haynes, the Worcestershire batter, as middle-order cover, and Northern Superchargers brought back Durham's Ben Raine, who played four games for them last season after he was signed in the wildcard draft.

As revealed on Wednesday evening, Superchargers have also signed Michael Pepper, the Essex batter, as a replacement for Luke Wright, who has pulled out of the tournament to fulfil his coaching commitments with New Zealand.

Stephen Eskinazi, Middlesex's T20 captain, is the highest-profile player who has been overlooked, though may yet win a deal as a replacement before the tournament starts on August 3.

Each wildcard pick will be paid £30,000, rounding off the selection process for 2022 other than any further replacement signings due to injury or international call-ups.