ECB: Teenager prepares to make history in The Hundred

Photo Credit: England & Wales Cricket Board

Two rising star teenagers are among the final names to secure places in this year’s squads for The Hundred – with one of them poised to become the competition’s youngest player.

Davina Perrin, 15, will set the record if she takes to the field for Birmingham Phoenix. She and UAE international Mahika Gaur, 16, are among a host of young stars who have signed up for women’s competition this summer, after 16-year-old Alice Capsey stole the show last year.

Perrin has already played for Central Sparks in this season’s Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, and has been part of the ACE Elite Programme, an initiative set up by former England cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent which aims to develop young black cricketers.

The men’s line ups are also complete after each team picked their final players in The Hundred Vitality Wildcard Draft. Manchester Originals picked up fast bowler Richard Gleeson, who is currently in the England squad, while Birmingham Phoenix have signed local batter Dan Mousley.

There is now less than a month to go until the start of The Hundred, which combines world-class sport and family-friendly entertainment. Tickets are selling fast.

Signings announced today also include:

• Bowler George Scrimshaw joining Welsh Fire, batter and wicket keeper Jamie Smith going to London Spirit, bowler Michael Hogan teaming up with Southern Brave, all-rounder Ben Mike being picked by Trent Rockets, batter Jack Haynes joining Oval Invincibles and all-rounder Ben Raine joining up with Northern Superchargers for a second season.
• Davina Perrin and Mahika Gaur are among a host of young stars who will be part of the women’s competition this summer
• Tickets are now on general sale at www.thehundred.com and are selling fast, with several matches now sold out.

The first year of The Hundred proved a big hit with families and young people in particular relishing the mix of fast-paced cricket with music and family entertainment off the pitch. Eight teams, based across seven cities, compete in men’s and women’s matches across the height of the summer holidays.

Quotes

Davina Perrin, Birmingham Phoenix rising star, said: “It’s a dream come true to have signed for Birmingham Phoenix this summer. To have the opportunity to train and potentially play alongside the likes of Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine and Amy Jones is amazing and I can’t wait to get going.”

Richard Gleeson, who has joined Manchester Originals, said: “It’s great to be picked up by the Originals this summer. Injury stopped me from being involved in the competition last year which was really tough, it looked brilliant! I can’t wait to be a part of it this time around and be fully immersed in the excitement, music and quality cricket.”

Sanjay Patel, Managing Director of The Hundred, said: “Today is a really exciting moment as we confirm the squads for the second year of The Hundred. It’s great to see players like Richard Gleeson and George Scrimshaw being rewarded for impressive performances in the Vitality Blast, while we’ve got some exciting youngsters joining the women’s competition with the likes of Davina Perrin and Mahika Gaur being signed up.

“Everyone is welcome at The Hundred and we can’t wait to excite fans with world-class cricket and blockbuster entertainment in just under one month’s time.”

Team-by-team –Vitality Wildcard Draft and women’s domestic signings highlights

Birmingham Phoenix signed Central Sparks and ACE Elite Programme member Davina Perrin as their final women’s selection. At just 15, she would become the youngest player in The Hundred if she were to take the field this summer. They also added to a strong looking men’s squad with the signing of local batter Dan Mousley, who plays county cricket for Warwickshire.

London Spirit were busy as they confirmed their last three slots in their women’s squad. Natasha Wraith and Nancy Harman join from Welsh Fire and Trent Rockets respectively while Grace Ballinger completes their squad. The men’s side selected keeper batter Jamie Smith, while former England international bowler Toby Roland-Jones comes into the squad as a replacement for the injured Blake Cullen.

Manchester Originals have signed 16 year old left arm seamer and UAE international Mahika Gaur, while the men’s squad used their right to match option to choose fast bowler Richard Gleeson, who is currently in the England squad.

Northern Superchargers selected all-rounder Ben Raine in the Vitality Wildcard while Bethany Harmer and Rachel Slater round off their women’s squad ahead of the summer. Essex keeper batter Michael Pepper replaces Luke Wright who was unavailable due to coaching commitments.

The defending women’s champions, Oval Invincibles finalised their line-up with the signings of South East Stars duo Ryana MacDonald-Gay and Kirstie White – White coming in to replace the injured Tash Farrant. Worcestershire batter Jack Haynes joins the men’s squad.

Southern Brave welcomed bowler Michael Hogan. Their women’s squad has already been finalised as last year’s runners up look to go one better. Hampshire allrounder James Fuller will replace Quinton De Kock while he is on international duty.

Trent Rockets chose to retain Ella Claridge and sign Northern Diamonds allrounder Emma Marlow to fill the last two spots in their women’s squad. They also picked Ben Mike, who plays county cricket for Leicestershire, in the men’s draft.

Welsh Fire selected George Scrimshaw in the men’s draft. Their women’s squad is already complete and packed with exciting talent including Tammy Beaumont, Rachael Haynes and Hayley Matthews.

Tickets – and more activities around the ground

Fans can get their seats now to avoid missing out on the sport and entertainment event of the summer with tickets now on sale at www.thehundred.com.

The Hundred offers an affordable day out for the family, with U16 tickets priced at £5 and free for children aged five and under, and there are family-friendly stands in every ground.

Fans are advised to buy soon so as not to miss out – tickets are selling fast. 

Ticket-buyers can also look forward to: 

• More activities around the ground to keep the whole family entertained.
• A diverse range of great music acts through our continuing partnership with BBC Music Introducing including Bastille playing at The Hundred Final.
• Enhanced food and drink offerings to cater for everyone inside the grounds.
• A bigger range and more availability of merchandise this year so you can get kitted out in your team colours. Find out more at shop.thehundred.com.

Full list of players announced today

About The Hundred

The Hundred is cricket’s newest competition that fuses blockbuster entertainment with world-class cricket, inviting everyone to fall in love with the game.

Combining a short, fast format of cricket, with each game lasting less than three hours, and incredible entertainment beyond sport, The Hundred is making cricket more accessible and reaching a broader audience. It’s simple: 100 balls per team, most runs wins, so every ball counts.

The Hundred features eight teams from seven cities, with men’s and women’s competitions taking place side by side: Welsh Fire (Cardiff), Southern Brave (Southampton), Northern Superchargers (Leeds), London Spirit, Trent Rockets (Nottingham), Oval Invincibles (London), Manchester Originals and Birmingham Phoenix. Each teams features some of the best international and domestic cricketers from around the world, including England Men’s & Women’s World Cup winners.

Name of Author: ECB

ECB

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body for cricket in England and Wales, formed on January 1, 1997. It combines roles from the Test and County Cricket Board, National Cricket Association, and Cricket Council, and integrated the Women’s Cricket Association in 1998. Based at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the ECB oversees all levels of cricket, including national teams for men, women, and various disability categories.