The Hundred: ECB writes to team owners to remind them of responsibilities

The England and Wales Cricket Board has written to the eight Hundred franchises reminding them of their responsibilities around discrimination.

Earlier this week, BBC Sport reported Pakistan cricketers are not being considered by the four Indian-owned sides for next month’s Hundred auction.

Pakistan players do not play in the Indian Premier League amid ongoing political tensions between the two countries and that trend is reflected at IPL-owned franchises around the world.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould said last year he expected “players from all nations to be selected for all teams” in The Hundred and warned “clear anti-discrimination policies” were in place.

The ECB retained overall control of The Hundred when it sold stakes in the eight teams last year, though its power has been diluted with the presence of new owners.

It cannot compel teams to pick players and any accusations of discrimination would have to be backed up by clear evidence.

The ECB could refer a franchise to the cricket regulator, who can also carry out their own investigations. The governing body could also hand out its own separate punishments.

Two Pakistan internationals – Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim – appeared in last year’s tournament, which was the final edition before new investors took control.

More than 60 Pakistan players were among the 964 to sign up for the auction, which takes place on 11 and 12 March.

This week, teams will submit a list of players of interest, which will whittle down the overall options to a longlist of less than 200 players who will go to the auction.