In the inaugural Hundred draft, Mitch was the was the first selection from Welsh Fire coach Gary Kirsten. His Aussie team mate Steve Smith was also selected.

England’s Jonny Bairstow will captain the Fire when his Test commitments allow and he welcomed the chance of playing alongside his Ashes rivals from the summer.

“From the way Smith played this summer, we know what a quality player he is, coming back to England and playing in a new competition he’ll be keen to impress again,” said Bairstow.

“Mitch will certainly knock them over at the top, if we can score enough runs.”

The Welsh franchise will also have spin options in Essex and South Africa off-spinner Simon Harmer, 19-year-old Afghan leg-spinner Qais Ahmad and Sussex left-armer Danny Briggs.

The Fire squad features county experience in England paceman Liam Plunkett, all-rounders Ryan ten Doeschate, Leus du Plooy and Ryan Higgins, and seamer David Payne.

Mitch was excited about playing next year.

“I am really looking forward to playing in the first ever Hundred ball competition alongside Smudge (Steve Smith), Jonny and the other boys. It looks like they’ve put a pretty strong squad together,” said Mitch.

To top off a good day, Mitch picked up his 10th wicket for the match for NSW,  defeating Tasmania in Sydney.