Hundred history-maker Will Smeed set for ILT20 in UAE

Young English batter has signed up to participate in the new franchise league

Will Smeed of Birmingham Phoenix bats during The Hundred match against Southern Brave at Edgbaston on August 10, 2022 in Birmingham, England. Getty Images

Will Smeed of Birmingham Phoenix celebrates with Miles Hammond after reaching his century, making him the first player to score a ton in The Hundred. Getty Images

Will Smeed of Birmingham Phoenix bats. Getty Images

Will Smeed of Birmingham Phoenix plays a shot watched by Southern Brave wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Getty Images

Will Smeed of Birmingham Phoenix runs between the wickets. Getty Images

Will Smeed of Birmingham Phoenix in action. Getty Images

Will Smeed, the history-making young English batter, is set to feature in the first International League T20 in the UAE.

The 20-year-old, who has yet to play for England, on Wednesday night became the first player to hit a century in the Hundred.

He blazed 101 from 50 balls as Birmingham Phoenix beat the defending champions, Southern Brave, in the UK’s franchise cricket competition.

Despite his lack of international experience, the Somerset youngster has already made a name for himself on the T20 franchise circuit.

He turned out for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League earlier this year, and caught the eye, too, as he made top scores of 99 and 97.

Now he seems set to add a UAE stamp to his passport, after signing up to feature in the ILT20.

The competition, which is scheduled to launch in January, on Thursday named the latest set of players who will be available to the six franchises.

At present, each of the teams can negotiate terms directly with up to six overseas players, although that might be revised to eight.

The remaining players are set to be recruited through a process that will be a combination of both an auction and draft.

Last week, the likes of Moeen Ali and Andre Russell were announced as having signalled their intent to play.

Now the likes of Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Dwayne Bravo and Dasun Shanaka have been confirmed.

Smeed is also part of a list that includes Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

The tournament will see 34 matches played across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Franchise owners include those who run Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, as well as the company that own Manchester United.