McDermott, Hasnain, Bates among Hundred overseas wildcard picks

Ben McDermott, Mohammad Hasnain, Suzie Bates and Deepti Sharma are among the overseas wildcard picks selected for the second season of The Hundred.

Each of the eight men's and women's sides have added a fourth overseas player to their squads but will only be permitted to field three in a matchday XI.

Australia star McDermott - who has impressed in the Vitality Blast for Hampshire Hawks, including with a 30-ball 83 against Middlesex - has been signed by London Spirit.

Pakistan fast bowler Hasnain will play for Spirit's London rivals Oval Invincibles after being selected as the first men's pick.

Hasnain, 22, was banned from bowling international cricket after having his action reported during a Big Bash League stint with Sydney Thunder in January but that suspension has now been lifted.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said Hasnain's action was now "within the 15-degree level of tolerance" after reassessment at the ICC's accredited testing centre in Lahore.

Hasnain said: "I'm overjoyed to be joining Oval Invincibles. The Hundred looked like great fun last year and I can't wait to get involved.

"The opportunity to play alongside stars like Sunil Narine, Jason Roy and the Curran brothers is hugely exciting. I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the field again."

Other standout overseas picks by the men's sides include Birmingham Phoenix re-signing Imran Tahir - the veteran spinner took the competition's first hat-trick last season, against Welsh Fire - and Fire acquiring 17-year-old Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad.

New Zealand Women star Bates will play for reigning women's champions Invincibles, while Phoenix have added spin-bowling India Women all-rounder Deepti Sharma to their squad.

Two members of Australia Women's