Six more stars confirmed by Birmingham Phoenix

Birmingham Phoenix have secured a further six players for the inaugural season of The Hundred.

Middlesex fast bowler Tom Helm and Gloucestershire and Melbourne Renegades all-rounder Benny Howell are the newest additions to the men’s squad, which now has just six places to fill, and they join the likes of England’s Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes.

England and Lightning left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon and Scotland leg spinner Abtaha Maqsood join Birmingham Phoenix women’s team alongside Central Sparks seamer Emily Arlott and South East Stars all-rounder Phoebe Franklin. Only five places now remain in the Phoenix women’s squad ahead of their first campaign in The Hundred.

“I’m over the moon to be staying at Birmingham Phoenix. We’ve already got the makings of a great squad in place with Sophie Devine, Ashleigh Gardner and Amy Jones signed up and I can’t wait to get started this summer.”

Kirstie Gordon

Tom Helm said, “I always wanted to stay with Birmingham Phoenix and I’m really pleased to be re-signed for 2021. Playing alongside the likes of Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali and others is only going to help my game. The Hundred is a hugely exciting competition and hopefully we’ll enjoy a massive summer of cricket.”

Craig Flindall, General Manager of Birmingham Phoenix, said: “It’s fantastic that we can announce six more of the brightest prospects in the men’s and women’s game to our first Birmingham Phoenix squads.

“We’re nearing a full squad and in the next two weeks we plan to make further marquee additions to our men’s and women’s teams.”

Craig Flindall, General Manager of Birmingham Phoenix

The Birmingham Phoenix teams will be led by two of the biggest names in the international game, with England’s Moeen Ali captaining his home-city men’s team and New Zealand international Sophie Devine, who scored the fastest ever women’s T20 century off just 36 balls last week, skippering the women’s team.