Hayley Matthews, Katie Mack replace Sune Luus, Ellyse Perry in The Hundred

Matthews, who scored a match-winning hundred for West Indies in the third ODI against Pakistan, replaced South Africa’s Sune Luus, who tested positive for COVID-19 and has been ruled out. Aside from Matthews, Australia’s Georgia Redmayne and Piepa Cleary are the other overseas recruits in the Fire side.

“I’m thrilled to be taking part in The Hundred this summer,” said Matthews, who will play alongside former England wicket-keeper Sarah Taylor.

“It’ll be a lot of fun to play in Cardiff alongside the like of Sarah Taylor in front of big crowds. The Hundred can help move women’s cricket forward and it’ll be great to take part.”

Mack has been roped in for fellow Australian Ellyse Perry, who withdrew last week for personal reasons. India’s Shafali Verma and Australia’s Erin Burns are the other two overseas players in the Phoenix outfit. Amy Jones, ">England wicket-keeper, will lead the Birmingham side.

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Mack was the leading run-scorer for Adelaide Strikers in the sixth season of the Women’s Big Bash League with 251 runs in 14 outings. She also raked up 418 runs, third-most in the Women’s National Cricket League last season, at an average of 59.71 for Australian Capital Territory Meteors.

“I’m gutted for Suné Luus, I know how excited she was about playing for Welsh Fire in The Hundred this summer,” said Beth Barrett-Wild, head of women’s The Hundred.

“But we all wish her a very speedy recovery. In Hayley Matthews we have a big stage player, in brilliant form, coming in, and I’m sure she will be looking forward to the opportunity to show off her skills.”

Meanwhile, Alice Monaghan has replaced Hannah Jones for London Spirit.