Former international cricketers Mahela Jayawardene and Charlotte Edwards have been appointed as the head coaches of the Southampton-based franchise in The Hundred, adding to the long list of high-profile support staff in the tournament.
Jayawardene, who represented Sri Lanka in over 650 games, has been installed as the head coach of the men’s side, while World Cup-winning captain Edwards will take charge of the women’s team.
“The Hundred is an innovative and exciting new tournament and it is a great privilege to be head coach of the Southampton-based team,” said Jayawardene. “I’ve played international and county cricket at Southampton – it’s a great place and I’m looking forward to going back.”
“I love the concept of The Hundred and it has grabbed my attention in the same way the IPL did.”https://t.co/PLi6HLdXFC
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 9, 2019
Former New Zealand seamer Shane Bond, ex-Hampshire cricketer Jimmy Adams and ex-Bangladesh assistant coach Richard Halsall have also been signed as support staff to assist Jayawardene.
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“I am delighted to be working alongside Shane Bond and some of the talented coaches from both Sussex and Hampshire,” added the Sri Lankan.
“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 name in the hat because this is a tournament that excites them.”
Two more coaches have been signed up by The Hundred.https://t.co/6CQiOdeZD8
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 12, 2019
While Jayawardene has coached Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League and Khulna Titans in the Bangladesh Premier League, this will be Edwards’ first gig as a head coach. ” I am really excited to be part of The Hundred,” she said. “It’s my first head coach role and I think it’s the right time.
“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. 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.”
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Mark Nicholas, who has been appointed as the chairman of the Southampton franchise, said: “We mean business, as proven by the early recruitment of Mahela Jayawardene, Charlotte Edwards and Shane Bond and will look to their vast experience both on and off the field to guide us on a path to success.”
