Beaumont and Clarke snapped up by Welsh Fire
WELSH Fire men’s team have snapped up promosing young batter Joe Clarke as their first choice in The Hundred Draft, while England star Tammy Beaumont has been signed to captain the women’s team.
The men’s side have also captured the signatures of three overseas stars in this year’s Draft, securing Australia spinner Adam Zampa, South African big-hitter David Miller, and Pakistan’s howler Naseem Shah.
A strong looking domestic line up will be further bolstered by the re-signing of England and Somerset batter Tom Banton as the side looks to build on their first campaign.
Men’s team head coach Gary Kirsten has also drafted Sam Hain and Jacob Bethell, one of the stars as England reached the final of the ICC Under 19 World Cup earlier this year.
Clarke said: “I’m honoured that Welsh Fire have chosen me to join their side. I can’t wait to be at Sophia Gardens this summer giving it our all in front of a packed house. We’ve got the makings of a great side and we want to be up the top of the table.”
He will join England batters Jonny Bairstow and Ollie Pope in Cardiff after they were both retained by Welsh Fire earlier this year, as well as captain Ben Duckett who finished as The Hundred’s second-highest run-scorer last season.
In the women’s team, Beaumont will be joined by Australia’s Rachael Haynes and Annabel Sutherland, fresh from winning the ICC Women’s World Cup this weekend, who will appear alongside West Indies’ Hayley Matthews as the side’s overseas players.
Haynes had an incredible World Cup finishing as the second-highest run scorer in the history of the women’s competition.
Former England internationals Fran Wilson and Alex Hartley will also be heading to Cardiff this summer, signing from Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals respectively.
The final two signings see Fi Morris join from Southern Brave and Sarah Bryce from defending champions Oval Invincibles.
Tickets for The Hundred go on sale today to anyone signed up at thehundred.com. Anyone who hasn’t yet signed up can still do so and get immediate access.
Beaumont said: “I’m beyond excited to be leading Welsh Fire this summer. I loved my time with London Spirit, but the opportunity to captain Welsh Fire was something I couldn’t turn down. We are building a really talented squad, full of world-class players and we can’t wait to put on a show.”
Welsh Fire men’s side start their campaign at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday, August 3, in the opening game of the competition against Southern Brave. The side will then host Oval Invincibles at Sophia Gardens on Sunday, August 7.
The women get started the following Saturday (August 13) in a double-header against Birmingham Phoenix at Sophia Gardens. The final home game of the competition sees Welsh Fire welcome Northern Superchargers for a double header on August 26.
Anyone signed up to www.thehundred.com will be able to snap up their seats now, with tickets going on general sale on April 20.