The Hundred | Mahela Jayawardene and Charlotte Edwards appointed Southampton coaches
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The Southampton-based team participating in the league has named Mahela Jayawardene and Charlotte Edwards as the head coaches for the men’s and women’s teams respectively. The two expressed their excitement regarding the innovative format of the tournament and the potential it has to make an impact.
The team from Southampton that will be a part of the inaugural edition of The Hundred, reportedly to be named Southern Brave, on Thursday announced its coaching and administrative staff as the player draft draws closer. Mark Nichols was appointed chairman whereas retired legends Mahela Jayawardene and Charlotte Edwards were handed the reigns for leading the team from the sidelines during the course of the competition.
Sydney Thunder’s head coach Shane Bond will be providing support to Jayawardene in his capacity as assistant coach, having also previously worked with the Sri Lankan in the IPL. The duo were a part of the personnel that helped the Mumbai Indians win two of the last three editions of the cash-rich event. Jimmy Adams and Richard Halsall, England's former fielding coach, complete the appointments made to the coaching staff so far.
Jayawardene has in the past also worked as a batting consultant for the England senior team and as the head coach of Bangladesh Premier League outfit Khulna Titans.
"I think The Hundred will interest the world's best players because England is a great place to play cricket. The structure of the tournament is good and that means most of the guys will put their names in the hat because this is a tournament that excites them," the 42-year-old was reported saying by Cricbuzz.
Charlotte Edwards on the other hand has picked up experience by trying her hand at subsidiary coaching positions in various leagues and this will only be her second assignment having her at the helm. Having spent the last couple of years as Hampshire’s director of women’s cricket, she has also served as the batting coach for the women’s team of Adelaide Strikers in Australia as well as head coach of Kia Super League side Southern Vipers. She revealed her excitement on being able to participate in something new, with the 100-ball match format set to be the first of its kind at such a large platform.
"I feel like I've learned a lot from coaching overseas and working with the Southern Vipers. It's my time to have a go and see what I can do. I think The Hundred is going to have a positive impact on the game at a grassroots level. I'm really looking forward to being there from the start and watching it all unfold. It's really exciting because I've been to Australia and seen the impact the Big Bash has had and you just feel like we can do exactly that and more," Edwards stated.
