New Zealand superstar Trent Boult and Australian swing bowler Megan Schutt have become Birmingham Phoenix’s first Direct Signings in The Hundred, signing up on Deadline Day as the men’s and women’s teams begin to form their squad.
Boult makes up a fiery attack alongside fellow New Zealand fast bowlers Tim Southee and Adam Milne in the Birmingham Phoenix men’s squad. While Schutt joins world-class Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry and England wicketkeeper Amy Jones.
Birmingham Phoenix have also confirmed their retentions on Deadline Day, forming both men’s and women’s squads ahead of The Hundred Draft on 12 March.
The England men’s trio of Livingstone, Duckett and Bethell return to the Phoenix alongside Birmingham’s own Dan Mousley. Benny Howell and Will Smeed also remain at Edgbaston for the 2025 edition of The Hundred after starring roles last year.
Alongside international stars Perry, Schutt and Jones, the women’s squad is made up of a strong domestic core with local Bears players Hannah Baker and Charis Pavely re-joining as well as Phoenix’s leading wicket taker in 2024 Emily Arlott.
Scotland international Ailsa Lister makes up the final of the retained players leaving eight slots to fill in The Hundred draft ahead of Ali Maiden’s first summer in charge of the Phoenix.
Birmingham Phoenix’s 2025 campaign will get underway this summer with one of the biggest games in The Hundred fixture schedule – a fiercely fought derby against local rivals Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on Friday 8 August.
The men’s team will be looking to go one better after reaching the eliminator in 2024, while the women’s team will be looking to build on a positive 2025 campaign with their new head coach Maiden now in place.
Trent Boult said: “I’m delighted to be joining Birmingham Phoenix this year. It’ll be great play alongside two guys I’ve played a lot of cricket with for New Zealand in Tim Southee and Adam Milne. Hopefully we’ll bring our skills and experience to the attack to go one better than last year to get to the final. The squad is so strong with some of the best talent in England and Birmingham so I’m excited to take part in the competition.”
Megan Schutt said: “It’s a great feeling to be the first direct signing for Birmingham Phoenix. I’m so excited to be playing alongside my Aussie mate Ellyse Perry and I can’t wait to see the amazing crowds that Edgbaston is renowned for. The Hundred is a great competition and I’ll be giving my all for Birmingham Phoenix to compete for the trophy for the first time.”
Birmingham Phoenix Women: Ellyse Perry, Amy Jones, Emily Arlott, Megan Schutt, Hannah Baker, Charis Pavely, Ailsa Lister
Birmingham Phoenix Men: Liam Livingstone, Ben Duckett, Trent Boult, Jacob Bethell, Benny Howell, Adam Milne, Dan Mousley, Tim Southee, Will Smeed
From 25 February, Warwickshire Members will have an exclusive window to buy match tickets at best prices, until midnight on 18 March.
All other fans who would like to access priority tickets can enter the priority sale window from 1-15 April by signing up in advance at thehundred.com.
The general sale period begins from 17 April. Tickets continue to be great value, with prices set at £5 for juniors aged 3-15 (free for under 3s) and adults starting from £14.
2025 Membership
It’s an historic year for the Club in 2025, as Bears Men and Women will compete side-by-side. Bears together.
Join the journey with Memberships available, including 1882 Full Club (all domestic cricket), our new B5 White Ball (T20, 50-Over and The Hundred) and Junior Bears (U16s).
