International Stars Added to Birmingham Phoenix Squads

• Matthew Wade, Olly Stone and Kane Richardson picked up for the men’s team

• Overseas players Sophie Molineux and Sterre Kalis join the women’s team
• Sign up to www.thehundred.com to grab your seats today!

Birmingham Phoenix have made several further additions to their men’s and women’s squads for the 2022 edition of The Hundred with internationals from England, Australia and The Netherlands taking places its men’s and women’s squads.

As runner-up in season one of The Hundred, Birmingham Phoenix men have selected Australia wicket-keeper/batter, and T20 World Cup-winner, Matthew Wade as their top-round draft pick. Bears and England fast bowler Olly Stone is named in the second round of picks with Australia fast bowler Kane Richardson taking the final overseas player draft spot. Yorkshire and England fast bowler Matt Fisher and Gloucestershire’s left-arm spinning all-rounder Graeme Van Buuren take the final two places ahead of the later wildcard picks.

Matthew Wade said, “I’m super excited to be joining the Birmingham Phoenix in summer and to try my hand at The Hundred. I watched a lot of the competition last year on tv, and ‘m looking forward to getting to play in it this summer. Obviously the team got to the final last time out, so hoping we can go one better and lift the trophy.”

Birmingham Phoenix men’s coach, Andrew McDonald, said: “To be able to add multiple players with international experience through the draft is a great boost as we look ahead to season two of The Hundred.

“Matthew was a pivotal member of Australia’s recent T20 World Cup-winning team. He’s got lots of experience on the biggest stage and he gives us new options with bat and the gloves. We’ve also done a lot of work over the winter reviewing our bowling options and securing Olly, Kane and Matt help create a new look seam attack, whilst Graeme’s provides a different spin option, alongside Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone.”

Birmingham Phoenix women’s team have added Australia bowling all-rounder Sophie Molineux and Netherlands top-order batter Sterre Kalis to the list of 12 players announced in the retention window in February. The two internationals join Molineux’s fellow Australian and World Cup winner Ellyse Perry, New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine and Birmingham’s own Amy Jones.

Sophie Molinuex said, “I’m super excited to be joining the Phoenix this summer and grateful for the opportunity to be involved in a wonderful tournament! The girls got off to a flyer last summer, the Edgbaston crowds were amazing and I’m just so pumped to be part of it!”

Ben Sawyer, Birmingham Phoenix women’s coach, said: “Sophie and Sterre are excellent additions to our squad for The Hundred in 2022, which looks incredibly strong. Sophie has been part of the Australia set-up for four years and she is vastly experienced in the shortest form of the game, having played close to 100 games with Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL. Sterre has a lot of potential and has good experience of both the county game and regional competitions with the Diamonds, so we’re delighted to have her on board.

“We had such great backing from the fans at Edgbaston last summer and their support was key as we started our run of wins that got us to the Eliminator. With several of the biggest names if the world game joining our squad this summer, hopefully we can put in some great performances and get the ground rocking.”

Sanjay Patel, Managing Director of The Hundred said, “With a host of star players confirmed, The Hundred will have fans on the edge of their seats with world class sport, as well as bringing more family-friendly entertainment off the pitch. In the women’s competition we have the best players from across the world taking part including Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine and we are confident we will set a new benchmark for the women’s domestic game.

“On the men’s side, it’s great to see a mix of new overseas stars like Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell alongside returning stars such as Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine. It is also brilliant that some of the best domestic white ball players including Tom Banton and Joe Clarke have been recognised and picked up early. Get your tickets for The Hundred now so you don’t miss out.”

The Hundred returns to Edgbaston on Wednesday 10 August as the men’s team look for revenge against 2021 champions, Southern Brave. Three double header days follow, with men’s and women’s fixtures on Monday 15 August against Trent Rockets, Friday 19 August versus Northern Superchargers and Sunday 28 August against Manchester Originals.

Show your support for Birmingham Phoenix with your friends and family with tickets now available in the priority window until 10pm on 14 April. Emails will be landing with all supporters who came to Edgbaston last summer, but you can still sign up at thehundred.com to get immediate access and join the Birmingham Phoenix fanbase in 2022.

-ENDS-

For further media information and photography, please contact Tom Rawlings on 0121 446 3657 / 07770 728409 or email tomrawlings@edgbaston.com