Jamaica and West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle along with England’s world cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, and Australia’s Steve smith have made themselves available for the hundred player draft on October 20.

The inaugural 100-ball competition, which is comprised of eight city-based teams, takes place next summer from 17 July-16 August.

Other big names to have stated their interest include Afghanistan spinner Rashid khan, Australia opener David Warner and former Pakistan all-rounder shahid Afridi.

England’s contracted test players such as Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer are not on the list because they will be part of an initial draft for England’s red-ball cricketers on Thursday.

In that mini draft, teams will select up to three players, with the Leeds-based side, for instance, having to choose between Roots, Stokes and Jonny Bairstow as their first pick.

They will also have the opportunity to select local icons. The eight teams will be based in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Cardiff and Southampton.

The main draft will be held later this month and among the other international cricketers to have made themselves available for the competition are Shakib Al Hasan, Moeen ali, Babar Azam, Tom Curran, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, Aaron finch, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Roy, Mitchell Starc and Kane Williamson.