Southern Brave sign two record-breakers for 2021 Hundred tournament

Marcus Stoinis holds the record for the highest-ever innings in the Australian Big Bash League. Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images.

The Ageas Bowl-based franchise have also kept Craig Overton and Ross Whiteley from the squad initially picked to take part in the 100-ball an innings format last year.

Stoinis was a replacement for countryman David Warner in the inaugural Brave squad, but the tournament - the brainchild of the ECB - was mothballed for a year due to the pandemic.

The 31-year-old has been a regular in his country’s ODI and T20 games in recent years, and last year blasted the highest ever score in the Australian Big Bash League’s history.

Amelia Kerr holds the record for the highest ever innings in a women's ODI - 232 not out for New Zealand against Ireland in 2018. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images.

Playing for Melbourne Stars, he struck 13 fours and eight sixes in smashing 147 off 79 balls against the Sydney Sixers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

The men’s retention window has now closed.

There is a healthy Sussex feel about the Brave squad with Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills, George Garton and Delray Rawlins among the 13 players retained.

Hampshire pair James Vince and Liam Dawson had previously been retained along with Max Waller (Somerset) and Alex Davies (Lancashire).

The squads so far for the 2021 Men's Hundred competition

There are just two slots remaining in the Brave squad and they will be filled when the men’s draft is held on February 23.

A registration window for the draft is now open and will run until February 15, after which the ECB will reveal the full list of players who have put themselves forward for selection.

Brave will have third pick of the draft, and also the 15th pick.

Hampshire spinner Mason Crane - currently in India with the England squad as a reserve - has been retained by the Lord’s-based London Spirit, along with ex-Hampshire overseas star Glenn Maxwell.

But seamer Kyle Abbott has not been retained by Spirit, while Hampshire’s T20 specialist Chris Wood has not been retained by the Oval Invincibles either.

New Zealand star Amelia Kerr is a new name in the Brave women’s squad, replacing fellow Kiwi Suzie Bates who has withdrawn through injury.

Kerr, 20, holds the record for the highest ever score in a women’s ODI - a remarkable 232 not out against Ireland at Dublin in 2018.