Organisers for the Hundred are sweating on Australia’s selection for a one‑day international series against Zimbabwe which could lead to Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc missing the second half of English cricket’s new tournament. All three players – as well as the Australia ODI captain, Aaron Finch – were picked up by teams in last year’s draft system for top-level £125,000 deals on the basis they would be available for the entire inaugural season that begins on 17 July. England recall Ben Foakes and Keaton Jennings for Sri Lanka Test tour Read more But now Cricket Australia has informed its contracted players that anyone selected for a three-match home series against Zimbabwe – the dates for which are still to be confirmed – must attend a training camp in Brisbane from 4 August and thus leave the Hundred halfway through. Warner (Southern Brave), Finch (Northern Superchargers), Smith and Starc (both Welsh Fire) may yet be allowed to skip this low-key series, not least in a year during which short-form cricket takes centre stage with the T20 World Cup on home soil in October and November. But with a total of 10 Australians dotted around the eight teams, including the big-hitters Glenn Maxwell (London Spirit), D’Arcy Short (Trent Rockets) and Chris Lynn (Northern Superchargers), some disruption looks inevitable. A spokesperson for the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “We have been in continued dialogue with Cricket Australia over the past weeks as they finalise their schedule with Zimbabwe. The Spin: sign up and get our weekly cricket email. “The Australian players selected in the squad for that series will be asked by Cricket Australia to report back by 4 August. As a result they will be available for the first five or six matches of the Hundred. “Teams will have the ability to replace players who are unavailable in due course. We will be excited to welcome additional international stars to the Hundred alongside the world‑class cricketers who will be available to play throughout the first season.” It is understood that replacement players must come from the original draft list meaning player such as Chris Gayle, Lasith Malinga and Dwayne Bravo, who initially went unsold, may yet appear in the tournament. As 2020 begins… … we’re asking readers, like you, to make a new year contribution in support of the Guardian’s open, independent journalism. This has been a turbulent decade across the world – protest, populism, mass migration and the escalating climate crisis. The Guardian has been in every corner of the globe, reporting with tenacity, rigour and authority on the most critical events of our lifetimes. At a time when factual information is both scarcer and more essential than ever, we believe that each of us deserves access to accurate reporting with integrity at its heart. You’ve read 24 articles in the last four months. More people than ever before are reading and supporting our journalism, in more than 180 countries around the world. And this is only possible because we made a different choice: to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. We have upheld our editorial independence in the face of the disintegration of traditional media – with social platforms giving rise to misinformation, the seemingly unstoppable rise of big tech and independent voices being squashed by commercial ownership. The Guardian’s independence means we can set our own agenda and voice our own opinions. Our journalism is free from commercial and political bias – never influenced by billionaire owners or shareholders. This makes us different. It means we can challenge the powerful without fear and give a voice to those less heard. None of this would have been attainable without our readers’ generosity – your financial support has meant we can keep investigating, disentangling and interrogating. It has protected our independence, which has never been so critical. We are so grateful. As we enter a new decade, we need your support so we can keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent. And that is here for the long term. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable. Support The Guardian from as little as $1 – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.