Smith, Warner among most expensive players in 'The Hundred' league

Smith and Warner reportedly carry a reserve price of 125,000 pounds

CRICKET-WC-2019-IND-AUS (File) Steve Smith (left) and David Warner

The Australian duo of Steve Smith and David Warner emerged as the most expensive players in the inaugural draft for The Hundred league, to be held in July.

Smith and Warner reportedly carry a reserve price of 125,000 pounds alongside compatriot Mitchell Starc, West Indies batting legend Chris Gayle, Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga and South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, according to BBC Sports.

'The Hundred' is a professional 100-ball cricket tournament in England and Wales run by the ECB. The league will have eight city-based franchise teams, each of which will field both a men's and women's team.

Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir and New Zealand speedster Trent Boult were some of the other oversees players in the draft. The trio carry 100,00 pounds.

The first auction will take place on Sunday.

A total of 570 players will be in the men's draft, including 239 overseas players.

Eight teams will compete at the inaugural 100-ball competition, to be held from July 17 to August 16.

Smith amassed 774 runs in the Ashes series while notching up a double ton and two centuries. Warner had a brilliant IPL tournament in the summer, scoring 481 runs in 12 matches.