11 Jul, 2025 | 02:31 PM
Jason Roy has been handed a dramatic lifeline in the Hundred, signing as a replacement for Faf du Plessis at Southern Brave ahead of the 2025 season. Du Plessis, 40, has withdrawn from the tournament to undergo groin surgery, opening the door for Roy’s return to the competition.
Roy, who turns 35 this month, was undrafted earlier this year despite registering with a reserve price of £63,000. But a timely resurgence in form during the Vitality Blast — where he has scored 301 runs at a strike rate of 141.98 for Surrey — has helped him secure the opportunity. His performances included three half-centuries in the first five innings of the season, playing a new role at No. 3.
A former Hundred champion with Oval Invincibles in 2023, Roy has had an inconsistent record in the competition, averaging 19.55 with a strike rate of 132.09 across three seasons. He was picked up by Northern Superchargers as an injury replacement last year but was sidelined himself with a shoulder issue and did not feature in a single game.
Roy now steps in for du Plessis, who was a high-profile direct signing ahead of March's draft on a £78,500 contract. The South African batter, currently playing for Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket, sustained a groin injury during the IPL and has chosen the Hundred window to undergo surgery.
Southern Brave, runners-up in the 2024 edition, have retained much of their squad and will once again be captained by James Vince. However, they face more injury concerns ahead of the new season, with New Zealand opener Finn Allen ruled out of the upcoming Zimbabwe tri-series and in doubt for the Hundred due to a foot injury sustained at MLC. Allen was retained on a £52,000 deal despite missing last year’s tournament with a toe injury.
The Brave also enter the new season under new leadership, with Adi Birrell taking over as men’s head coach from Stephen Fleming.
Meanwhile, in the women's Hundred, Birmingham Phoenix have signed 19-year-old Millie Taylor as an injury replacement for Charis Paveley, who has withdrawn due to a foot injury. Taylor, a left-arm wristspinner, has impressed in the T20 Blast with 15 wickets this season and joins her twin sister Mary — who plays for Hampshire and Southern Brave — in the competition for the first time.
Roy’s signing comes just ahead of Tuesday’s wildcard draft, where all eight franchises will have the chance to strengthen their squads by selecting two additional players each for both the men’s and women’s teams — with recent Blast form playing a significant role in final selections.
