Sophie Devine to captain Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred 2021

earlier this year before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the competition by a year.

“We are putting together an exciting line-up and the international players we are looking to bring in are of the highest quality,” said Devine, who is all set to captain Perth Scorchers in the sixth edition of the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia.

“I’m really looking forward to playing alongside them and I’m really excited to be leading this side. Exposing more players to the highest quality cricket is only going to benefit the women’s game globally and The Hundred is going to be a huge moment in women’s sport.”

The ECB had announced that England’s Amy Jones had been retained in the squad and Devine talked about learning from the local talent as she settles into the role.

“I'm really excited to be captaining this side,” the New Zealand captain was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

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“I'm looking forward to working with and learning from the local talent who can share their knowledge. The international players that are potentially coming over are of the highest quality, and I'm looking forward to testing myself in the Hundred.”

While the Hundred is a new format, the essence of which is yet to be clear, Devine hopes to lead from the front with a nothing-to-lose attitude, given that it’s just a 100-ball game.

“I’ll try to lead from the front with bat and ball and encourage others to play to their potential and believe in themselves because I’ll be backing them 100%,” she said. “It’s only a hundred balls so you’ve got nothing to lose. That’s what makes it such an exciting competition.”

“If I can inspire my teammates to play a certain way or follow my lead, that will be more powerful than words spoken from the sidelines.”

Apart from Devine, Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor are the other confirmed overseas players for the Hundred next year.

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