The annual player draft may be the glamorous centrepiece of The Hundred's squad-building, but the crucial foundation is laid by the retention window. With the 2026 season still on the horizon, the initial picture of the men's and women's squads is coming into focus as teams secure their core stars. The retention process, where each side can keep a set number of players from their 2025 rosters, offers the first major clues about each franchise's strategy for the upcoming campaign.
Men's Squads: Stability and Marquee Retentions
The men's competition has seen a wave of high-profile retentions, with most teams opting for continuity at the top. The Trent Rockets, led by the explosive Alex Hales and the ever-reliable Dawid Malan, have kept their powerful top order intact. Similarly, the Southern Brave have doubled down on their pace battery, securing the services of both Jofra Archer and England's new-ball spearhead Chris Jordan.
Perhaps the most significant retention news comes from the Manchester Originals, who have managed to keep their twin batting pillars: the iconic Jos Buttler and the prolific Phil Salt. This ensures one of the most feared opening partnerships in the competition remains united. As one team director noted, "Securing your world-class local talent is half the battle won before the draft even begins."
Key Men's Retentions to Date:
- Oval Invincibles: Keeping the spin duo of Sunil Narine and Nathan Sowter suggests a continued focus on controlling the middle overs at The Oval.
- London Spirit: The retention of Nathan Ellis and Dan Worrall points to a clear strategy of building a versatile, death-bowling attack.
- Birmingham Phoenix: Holding onto the dynamic Ben Duckett ensures their middle-order engine and innovative stroke-play remains central to their plans.
Women's Squads: World Stars Locked In
The women's retentions have been equally headline-grabbing, underlining The Hundred's status as a premier global tournament. The Southern Brave have secured a massive coup by retaining the services of Smriti Mandhana, whose elegant power at the top was instrumental in their 2025 run. The Birmingham Phoenix, meanwhile, have kept their formidable overseas pairing of Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine, a duo that brings all-round dominance.
The Trent Rockets have made a statement by holding onto the world's number one T20 batter, Beth Mooney, guaranteeing stability and sheer class at number three. The Welsh Fire have also acted decisively, ensuring the leadership and explosive batting of Sophia Dunkley remains in Cardiff. A team spokesperson emphasized the importance of these decisions, stating, "These players are the heartbeat of our side."
Emerging Talent Secured:
Beyond the global superstars, teams have been quick to secure promising domestic talent who have flourished in the competition. Retentions like Grace Scrivens (London Spirit), Charis Pavely (Birmingham Phoenix), and Sophia Smale (Welsh Fire) indicate a strong focus on nurturing the next generation of English stars within the franchise ecosystem.
Strategic Gaps and Draft Implications
While retentions solidify a team's core, they also reveal strategic gaps that will be targeted in the draft. The Northern Superchargers men's side, for example, have retained a strong batting group but may look to the draft to bolster their pace attack. Conversely, the Manchester Originals women's team, having kept a powerful top order, might seek a specialist finisher or a frontline spinner in the next stage.
The release of several high-profile names also sets the stage for a dramatic draft. With players like Katherine Sciver-Brunt (retired from The Hundred) and Lizelle Lee not retained, and several marquee men's players entering the pool, franchises will have significant firepower to target. This creates a fascinating dynamic where one team's released star becomes another's draft-day prize.
The balance of squads is also a key consideration. With each women's team having seven retention slots and each men's team having eight, the management of overseas player quotas is crucial. Teams that have used two of their retention slots on overseas stars, like the Phoenix with Perry and Devine, will have less flexibility in the draft, where a maximum of three overseas players are allowed in the final squad.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Draft
The retention lists are just the opening chapter of the 2026 squad story. The upcoming draft, where teams fill their remaining slots, is where strategies fully crystallize. Will a team use their first "Right-to-Match" card to snag a departing legend? Which emerging domestic star will spark a bidding war? The gaps left by retentions—be it a death bowler, a power-hitting all-rounder, or a wicketkeeper-batter—will define the draft day chatter.
Furthermore, the final composition will be influenced by international calendars. The potential clash with other global leagues and national team commitments means that the availability of certain overseas stars during The Hundred window is never guaranteed, adding another layer of complexity to the long-term planning already evidenced in these retention decisions.
In conclusion, the 2026 Hundred squads are beginning to take shape with a clear emphasis on securing proven match-winners and franchise icons. The retention window has rewarded consistency and star power, setting a solid foundation for all eight teams. As one coach aptly put it, "Retentions are about building your family. The draft is about finding the perfect guests to complete the party." With the family cores now established, the cricketing world now eagerly awaits the draft to see which guests will receive an invitation to the 2026 season.