Quinton de Kock and Tahlia McGrath among star names heading to Southern Brave

• 2021 competition star Quinton de Kock, England Under 19 World Cup star Rehan Ahmed and English batter Joe Weatherley picked up for the men’s team

• · Sign up to www.thehundred.com to grab your seats today!

• Australian Women’s World Cup winner Tahlia McGrath and English batter Georgia Adams to link up at The Ageas Bowl

• The Hundred announces more activities and food options inside grounds for the 2022 competition

Southern Brave got off to an exciting start with the choice to re-sign South African keeper-batter Quinton de Kock as their first pick, and followed that up by drafting the exciting England U19 spinner Rehan Ahmed.

de Kock was one of the stars of The Hundred’s launch season last year, while local Hampshire batter Joe Weatherley is also picked up by the Brave after an impressive 2021 Vitality Blast. Meanwhile Ahmed was one of the stars of England’s team which reached the final of the Under 19 World Cup earlier this year whilst Surrey left-armer Dan Moriarty will link up with Ahmed in the spin department.

The women’s side will welcome Australian all-rounder Tahlia McGrath, a breakthrough star in Australia Ashes and Women’s World Cup win this winter, and Jo Gardner, winner of the edition of The Hundred with Oval Invincibles. They will also be joined by Gardner’s teammate and Southern Vipers captain Georgia Adams, as well as 16-year-old Southern Vipers Academy bowler Freya Kemp, and opening batter Ella McCaughan.

Tickets for The Hundred go on sale today to anyone signed up at thehundred.com. Anyone who hasn’t yet signed up can still do so and get immediate access.

Quinton de Kock said, “I can’t wait to come back and play for Southern Brave this summer and hopefully defend our title. Being part of the side last year was special and it was amazing to see the Ageas Bowl packed full with kids having an amazing time.”

Georgia Adams said, “The first year of The Hundred was a gamechanger for the women’s game and I’m thrilled to be at Southern Brave this year. It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Oval Invincibles but I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere at the Ageas Bowl and hopefully I can make it two wins in a row!”

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 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 which will only be bigger and better this year.

The Ageas Bowl will come alive with new concourse activities offering even more fun for all the family and a diverse range of great music acts through the continuing partnership with BBC Music Introducing. Year two of The Hundred will also offer a new range of merchandise to get the family kitted out in full Southern Brave gear.

The Hundred returns to the Ageas Bowl for the opening game of this year’s competition on Wednesday 3 August as the men’s team take on Welsh Fire. Three double header days follow, with the women’s team getting underway at the Ageas Bowl on Friday 12 August in the first double header against London Spirit. The other matches see both men’s and women’s sides face Manchester Originals on Thursday 18 August, and Trent Rockets on Thursday 25 August.

Tickets

Get your seat now so you don’t miss out on the sport and entertainment event of the summer – anyone signed up to www.thehundred.com will be able to snap up their seats from today (5 April) with tickets going on general sale on 20 April.

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.

Make sure you don’t miss out - tickets have already been selling fast after last year’s buyers were given first chance to get their seats for this year. 

Notes to editors

Full list of players announced today (former contracted team in brackets)