Ali, Livingstone, Devine and Jones feature in Birmingham Phoenix’s 2022 retentions

Many of the biggest names in world cricket are returning to Edgbaston in 2022 as Birmingham Phoenix today named 22 players in its combined men’s and women’s squads for the second edition of The Hundred.

Birmingham Phoenix men retain ten players from the squad, who topped the group stages and reached The Hundred final at Lord’s last August, including England all-rounder and local hero Moeen Ali, tournament MVP Liam Livingstone and New Zealand international Adam Milne, who topped the 2021 bowling charts. Fellow England all-rounder and World Cup-winner Chris Woakes has also resigned for his home team as Birmingham Phoenix’s centrally contracted men’s player.

In the women’s team, Birmingham Phoenix’s star-studded line-up includes New Zealand international and world number one ranked T20 International all-rounder Sophie Devine who will make her debut in 2022. Australia superstar Ellyse Perry and Birmingham’s own England wicket-keeper/batter Amy Jones join Devine in the list of 12 players retained by Birmingham Phoenix in the women’s squad.

The Hundred returns in August, mixing fast-paced, world-class cricket with family friendly music and entertainment off the pitch. This year there will be even more activities to entertain families inside Edgbaston.

“We’ve retained many of the best players in the world to represent Birmingham Phoenix and to challenge to win both competitions again in 2022.

Craig Flindall, General Manager of Birmingham Phoenix

“Both teams came so close to winning the inaugural titles playing a bold and exciting brand of cricket, which our supporters got behind and loved watching. We want to build on the great performances from 2021 by keeping as much of the team together as possible and making Edgbaston a real fortress again in 2022.”

Woakes, Ali, Livingstone and Milne are joined in the retained Birmingham Phoenix men’s squad by all-rounder Benny Howell, batters Tom Abell, Will Smeed, Miles Hammond and wicket-keeper/batter Chris Benjamin. Warwickshire Fast Bowler Henry Brookes is also retained.

The women’s squad sees Devine, Perry and Jones joined by England all-rounder Georgia Elwiss and fellow all-rounder Phoebe Franklin, spinners Kirstie Gordon and Abtaha Maqsood, fast bowlers Issy Wong and Emily Arlott and batters, Eve Jones, Gwen Davies and Ria Fackrell.

Birmingham Phoenix’s programme of games at Edgbaston starts on Wednesday 10 August as the men’s team look for revenge on 2021 champions, Southern Brave. The three double header days with men’s and women’s fixtures are set for Monday 15 August against Midlands rivals Trent Rockets, Friday 19 August versus Northern Superchargers and Sunday 28 August against Manchester Originals.

Get behind Birmingham Phoenix with your friends and family when The Hundred returns to Edgbaston. Tickets go on sale to Warwickshire members today, and to last year’s ticket buyers from tomorrow. People who didn’t see the action for themselves last year can sign up at thehundred.com to be first to hear when tickets go on-sale.