Birmingham Phoenix have finalised their coaching teams ahead of the start of The Hundred. Andrew McDonald will not travel over to England this summer due to the ongoing global issues caused by the pandemic.

Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori will step up to the role of Men’s Interim Head Coach this summer while McDonald will support the side as a consultant before returning as Men’s Head Coach in 2022.

After a hugely successful playing career that sees him remembered as one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever cricketers, Vettori has gained extensive coaching experience having had spells in charge of Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and Middlesex in the Vitality Blast.

He will be supported by two Assistant Coaches - Alex Gidman &amp; James Franklin who have extensive experience in England, both on and off the field, and are currently Head Coaches at Worcestershire &amp; Durham respectively.

Ben Sawyer remains as Head Coach of the Women’s side with some exciting additions to his backroom staff.

Former England cricketer Caroline Foster (nee Atkins) is one of three Assistant Coaches alongside Dominic Ostler and Gareth Davies who currently coach the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Women’s sides.

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Foster is a former World Cup and Ashes winner and coached Western Storm to the final of the Kia Super League in its inaugural season in 2016.

Daniel Vettori said: “I feel really honoured to be asked to step up and take the reigns from Andrew this year. We’ll continue to communicate regularly and Andrew’s advice will be vital to our success. Our squad looks really strong and we want to build a winning team and hopefully bring The Hundred trophy to Birmingham.”

Andrew McDonald commented: “It was a really hard decision not to travel over this summer and I’m extremely sad that I won’t be there in person to coach the team. I’ll be doing everything I can to give advice and support to Daniel and his team and I’m already looking forward to playing a role in person next season.”

Caroline Foster said: “I feel thrilled to be working with Birmingham Phoenix this summer. Ben is a fantastic coach who has experience around the world and I can’t wait to work with him and the players ahead of what is an incredibly exciting moment not just for Birmingham Phoenix but for women’s cricket as a whole.”

Birmingham Phoenix have finalised their coaching teams ahead of the start of The Hundred. Andrew McDonald will not travel over to England this summer due to the ongoing global issues caused by the pandemic.

Birmingham Phoenix have finalised their coaching teams ahead of the start of The Hundred. Andrew McDonald will not travel over to England this summer due to the ongoing global issues caused by the pandemic. Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori will step up to the role of Men’s Interim Head Coach this summer while McDonald will support the side as a consultant before returning as Men’s Head Coach in 2022. After a hugely successful playing career that sees him remembered as one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever cricketers, Vettori has gained extensive coaching experience having had spells in charge of Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash, Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and Middlesex in the Vitality Blast. He will be supported by two Assistant Coaches - Alex Gidman & James Franklin who have extensive experience in England, both on and off the field, and are currently Head Coaches at Worcestershire & Durham respectively. Ben Sawyer remains as Head Coach of the Women’s side with some exciting additions to his backroom staff. Former England cricketer Caroline Foster (nee Atkins) is one of three Assistant Coaches alongside Dominic Ostler and Gareth Davies who currently coach the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Women’s sides. ALSO READ: Used to always get angry as youngster which never helped my cricket, reveals Jasprit Bumrah Foster is a former World Cup and Ashes winner and coached Western Storm to the final of the Kia Super League in its inaugural season in 2016. Daniel Vettori said: “I feel really honoured to be asked to step up and take the reigns from Andrew this year. We’ll continue to communicate regularly and Andrew’s advice will be vital to our success. Our squad looks really strong and we want to build a winning team and hopefully bring The Hundred trophy to Birmingham.” Andrew McDonald commented: “It was a really hard decision not to travel over this summer and I’m extremely sad that I won’t be there in person to coach the team. I’ll be doing everything I can to give advice and support to Daniel and his team and I’m already looking forward to playing a role in person next season.” Caroline Foster said: “I feel thrilled to be working with Birmingham Phoenix this summer. Ben is a fantastic coach who has experience around the world and I can’t wait to work with him and the players ahead of what is an incredibly exciting moment not just for Birmingham Phoenix but for women’s cricket as a whole.”

Cricket: Birmingham Phoenix confirm coaching line ups for The Hundred

Australian sporting icon Ellyse Perry has become the latest global superstar to sign up for cricket’s new 100-ball competition The Hundred.

The ICC Women’s Player of the Decade will play for Birmingham Phoenix in the first season of the new competition where she will line up alongside compatriot Ashleigh Gardner, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and England’s own Amy Jones and Georgia Elwiss.

Ellyse Perry said: “I can’t wait to come over to the UK and get involved in The Hundred this summer. It’s fantastic to see how it’s put women’s cricket in the spotlight and attracted so many of the world’s top players to come and play in it.

“With 100 balls per side it’s going to be really exciting to play in, and I’m looking forward to helping introduce a new generation to cricket and hopefully inspiring them to pick up a bat and ball themselves.”

A true sporting superstar, Perry became the youngest cricketer to represent Australia in 2007. Two weeks later she made her debut for the Matildas, the Australian women's football team, in an Olympic qualifier against Hong Kong, scoring in the second minute. She is the first Australian to have appeared in both ICC and FIFA World Cups and one of a very small number of global sportspeople to have played in both.

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She focused solely on cricket in 2014 and has since been described as the most marketable sportsperson in Australia. She is one of the star players of the Australia team who won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2013 and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020. She was recently recognised by the ICC as the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Decade.

The Hundred features world-class domestic and international players in men’s and women’s competitions, with family-friendly entertainment off the pitch. It will take place this summer and feature eight city-based teams based in Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton and two in London. It will be screened live by the BBC and Sky.

The Hundred will start with a women’s match with Oval Invincibles taking on Manchester Originals live on Sky and BBC on July 21, a day before the same men’s teams meet.

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Beth Barrett-Wild, Head of The Hundred Women’s Competition, said: “Ellyse’s participation in The Hundred shows that the competition continues to attract the best players from around the world.

“By showcasing the most talented female cricketers on the planet, on a big stage, alongside the men, we have an opportunity to continue to normalise cricket as a sport for women and girls, as much as it is for men and boys. I truly believe that The Hundred will be a gamechanger for women’s sport.”

Ben Sawyer, Birmingham Phoenix women’s team Head Coach said: “Ellyse is a world-class cricketer who would improve any team and we are thrilled that she will be turning out for us at Birmingham Phoenix this summer. I’ve been lucky to work with her over a number of years and I know her quality and work-ethic will be a huge asset to us and the whole competition.”

Australian sporting icon Ellyse Perry has become the latest global superstar to sign up for cricket’s new 100-ball competition The Hundred. The ICC Women’s Player of the Decade will play for Birmingham Phoenix in the first season of the new competition where she will line up alongside compatriot Ashleigh Gardner, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and England’s own Amy Jones and Georgia Elwiss.

Australian sporting icon Ellyse Perry has become the latest global superstar to sign up for cricket’s new 100-ball competition The Hundred. The ICC Women’s Player of the Decade will play for Birmingham Phoenix in the first season of the new competition where she will line up alongside compatriot Ashleigh Gardner, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and England’s own Amy Jones and Georgia Elwiss. Ellyse Perry said: “I can’t wait to come over to the UK and get involved in The Hundred this summer. It’s fantastic to see how it’s put women’s cricket in the spotlight and attracted so many of the world’s top players to come and play in it. “With 100 balls per side it’s going to be really exciting to play in, and I’m looking forward to helping introduce a new generation to cricket and hopefully inspiring them to pick up a bat and ball themselves.” A true sporting superstar, Perry became the youngest cricketer to represent Australia in 2007. Two weeks later she made her debut for the Matildas, the Australian women's football team, in an Olympic qualifier against Hong Kong, scoring in the second minute. She is the first Australian to have appeared in both ICC and FIFA World Cups and one of a very small number of global sportspeople to have played in both. ALSO READ: 'KL Rahul will be disappointed...': VVS Laxman explains flaws in batsman's technique She focused solely on cricket in 2014 and has since been described as the most marketable sportsperson in Australia. She is one of the star players of the Australia team who won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2013 and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020. She was recently recognised by the ICC as the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Decade. The Hundred features world-class domestic and international players in men’s and women’s competitions, with family-friendly entertainment off the pitch. It will take place this summer and feature eight city-based teams based in Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton and two in London. It will be screened live by the BBC and Sky. The Hundred will start with a women’s match with Oval Invincibles taking on Manchester Originals live on Sky and BBC on July 21, a day before the same men’s teams meet. ALSO READ: England's Buttler hails 'pioneer' Morgan after 100th T20 Beth Barrett-Wild, Head of The Hundred Women’s Competition, said: “Ellyse’s participation in The Hundred shows that the competition continues to attract the best players from around the world. “By showcasing the most talented female cricketers on the planet, on a big stage, alongside the men, we have an opportunity to continue to normalise cricket as a sport for women and girls, as much as it is for men and boys. I truly believe that The Hundred will be a gamechanger for women’s sport.” Ben Sawyer, Birmingham Phoenix women’s team Head Coach said: “Ellyse is a world-class cricketer who would improve any team and we are thrilled that she will be turning out for us at Birmingham Phoenix this summer. I’ve been lucky to work with her over a number of years and I know her quality and work-ethic will be a huge asset to us and the whole competition.”

Australia's Ellyse Perry signs up for The Hundred

Australian stars Ashleigh Gardner and Asam Zampa&nbsp;headline a group of eight players who have signed up for Birmingham Phoenix in next year’s inaugural The Hundred competition.

Leg-spinner Zampa, who is ranked five in the ICC men’s T20 bowler rankings, and all-rounder Gardner, who won the ICC women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, join a further six locally-based players from Warwickshire and Worcestershire in committing to Birmingham Phoenix.

Warwickshire batsman Adam Hose and fast bowler Henry Brookes, alongside Worcestershire seamer Pat Brown, have signed up for the Birmingham Phoenix men’s team. Warwickshire and Central Sparks batters Ria Fackrell, Eve Jones and Marie Kelly have also joined the Edgbaston-based outfit.

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Adam Zampa&nbsp;said: “I’m over the moon to know that I’m staying with Birmingham Phoenix and to help this new team mount a serious challenge in this first year of The Hundred.

“Birmingham is a fantastic city and I’m really looking forward to calling Edgbaston home. Hopefully we can welcome crowds and our new fans to the ground because, having played against England at Edgbaston, I know that the atmosphere there is awesome.”

Ashleigh Gardner&nbsp;said: “We’ve got the makings of an excellent Birmingham Phoenix squad and I can’t wait to get going in next year’s competition and to continue working with head coach Ben Sawyer, who I know so well from Sydney Sixers and the Australia women’s team.

“Speaking to players around the world, there’s so much excitement around The Hundred and it’s fantastic to see so many of the best players coming for this first competition. I believe that we’ve got a great chance of going all of the way and bringing the trophy back to Birmingham.”

Birmingham Phoenix announced last month that Birmingham-born England all-rounder Moeen Ali will captain the men’s team in 2021 with leading New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine appointed women’s team captain.

They will be joined by fellow England stars and Birmingham’s own all-rounder Chris Woakes and wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones in the men’s and women’s squads respectively. Warwickshire and England men’s Test batsman Dom Sibley was also announced within the Phoenix squad last month.

Further players will be announced in the coming weeks.

Australian stars Ashleigh Gardner and Asam Zampa headline a group of eight players who have signed up for Birmingham Phoenix in next year’s inaugural The Hundred competition.

Australian stars Ashleigh Gardner and Asam Zampa headline a group of eight players who have signed up for Birmingham Phoenix in next year’s inaugural The Hundred competition. Leg-spinner Zampa, who is ranked five in the ICC men’s T20 bowler rankings, and all-rounder Gardner, who won the ICC women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, join a further six locally-based players from Warwickshire and Worcestershire in committing to Birmingham Phoenix. Warwickshire batsman Adam Hose and fast bowler Henry Brookes, alongside Worcestershire seamer Pat Brown, have signed up for the Birmingham Phoenix men’s team. Warwickshire and Central Sparks batters Ria Fackrell, Eve Jones and Marie Kelly have also joined the Edgbaston-based outfit. ALSO READ: Addition of 2 new IPL teams set to be approved at BCCI AGM: Reports Adam Zampa said: “I’m over the moon to know that I’m staying with Birmingham Phoenix and to help this new team mount a serious challenge in this first year of The Hundred. “Birmingham is a fantastic city and I’m really looking forward to calling Edgbaston home. Hopefully we can welcome crowds and our new fans to the ground because, having played against England at Edgbaston, I know that the atmosphere there is awesome.” Ashleigh Gardner said: “We’ve got the makings of an excellent Birmingham Phoenix squad and I can’t wait to get going in next year’s competition and to continue working with head coach Ben Sawyer, who I know so well from Sydney Sixers and the Australia women’s team. “Speaking to players around the world, there’s so much excitement around The Hundred and it’s fantastic to see so many of the best players coming for this first competition. I believe that we’ve got a great chance of going all of the way and bringing the trophy back to Birmingham.” Birmingham Phoenix announced last month that Birmingham-born England all-rounder Moeen Ali will captain the men’s team in 2021 with leading New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine appointed women’s team captain. They will be joined by fellow England stars and Birmingham’s own all-rounder Chris Woakes and wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones in the men’s and women’s squads respectively. Warwickshire and England men’s Test batsman Dom Sibley was also announced within the Phoenix squad last month. Further players will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Hundred: Aussie stars Gardner and Zampa lead eight players committing to Birmingham Phoenix