The third edition of The Hundred, England and Wales's popular franchise cricket competition, is nearly upon us.

Last season Oval Invincibles won the women's title while the men's competition went the way of Trent Rockets and the best short-format players from across the country are preparing to battle it out again this August.

Ahead of the new season, here is a look at five female players to keep an eye on.

What	The Hundred Women 2023
Where	England and Wales
When	Tuesday 1st August - Sunday 27th August 2023
How to watch	Sky Sports and BBC
Odds - Women's Outright	Oval Invincibles 4/1, Trent Rockets 9/2, Southern Brave 5/1, Birmingham Phoenix 6/1, Manchester Originals 13/2, Northern Superchargers 13/2, London Spirit 15/2, Welsh Fire 9/1

Danni Wyatt, Southern Brave

England veteran Danni Wyatt is not exactly a new name to anyone who follows women's international cricket but she is nonetheless one to keep an eye on in The Hundred this year.

The 32-year-old scored 177 runs in the competition last year but has gone from strength to strength this summer, excelling for England in the Women's Ashes.

In the Ashes T20 series, which England won 2-1, Wyatt was named player of the series, having scored a decisive 76 in the second match, and her big-hitting will come in handy for Southern Brave, who were runners-up in The Hundred in 2022.

Also a talented fielder, Wyatt has Women's Big Bash League experience behind her and could be in for a decent campaign.

Freya Davies, Welsh Fire

After finishing rock bottom of the women's standings in The Hundred last year, Welsh Fire have acted in the off-season to improve their squad and one of their most notable additions is bowler Freya Davies.

Davies took five wickets in six matches for London Spirit last season but this season even more is expected of the 27-year-old, whose tally of 19 Super League wickets in 2019 was a competition record.

Davies has been heavily praised by Welsh Fire skipper Tammy Beaumont, who expects good things from the fast-medium bowler on the Sophia Gardens wicket in Cardiff.

Harmanpreet Kaur, Trent Rockets

Trent Rockets will be looking to build on their top-three finish in the women's edition of The Hundred last season and they have shown intent with the acquisition of India international Harmanpreet Kaur.

Kaur has previously played with star Rockets all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt during her time in India and may feel she heads into this season's franchise competition with a point to prove.

Kaur played for Manchester Originals during the first season of the competition back in 2021 before being released by the side last season to free up an overseas slot in the team.

But she is now back and ready to feature in The Hundred again - this time for the Rockets.

India's captain in T20 cricket, Kaur will bring plenty of experience to the fold and holds the record for the highest score in a Women's World Cup match.

Alice Capsey, Oval Invincibles

Anyone who watched The Hundred last year will know all about Alice Capsey, who is one of the brightest young players in English cricket.

The 18-year-old is fresh from appearing for England in the Women's Ashes this summer with her score of 46 guiding her country to a key victory in the final T20 between the sides at Lord's earlier in July.

But it was in The Hundred that she really made a name for herself, scoring 118 runs and picking up eight wickets in six matches in last year's competition.

In her breakthrough season in The Hundred, Capsey also famously struck a formidable 59, which featured 10 fours, and she is one of the most entertaining players in the competition.

Emma Lamb, Manchester Originals

Manchester Originals used their third pick in the women's draft this year to capture batter Laura Wolvaardt and, while the South African offers a lot of elegance at the crease, it is Emma Lamb who will be tasked with the big hitting.

Lamb has evolved into a top T20 talent and scored a hundred in domestic cricket aged only 15.

Also able to bowl spin, Lamb has international experience under her belt, having featured in the Test match against Australia in the Women's Ashes this summer, scoring 38 across her two innings.