Stokes joins Superchargers as mentorpublished at 19:29 6 August
19:29 6 August
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Ben Stokes made two appearances for Northern Superchargers in 2021 and three more in 2024
England Test captain Ben Stokes has joined Northern Superchargers in The Hundred as a mentor.
Stokes, who played five games for Superchargers across the 2021 and 2024 tournaments, will join the men's team for the duration of this year's competition.
In was announced in February that the all-rounder would miss the 100-ball competition this summer to manage his fitness before the Ashes in Australia this winter.
Having sustained a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the fifth Test between England and India, Stokes would not have been fit to play in any case.
However, the 34-year-old will still hope to make an impact by providing his expertise as he joins head coach Andrew Flintoff's backroom staff at the Superchargers.
Kerr targeting more silverware with Originalspublished at 14:26 4 August
14:26 4 August
Elizabeth Botcherby BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Manchester Originals
Amelia Kerr is no stranger to winning silverware.
Over the past 12 months alone, the all-rounder has produced a player of the match-winning performance in a T20 World Cup final to steer New Zealand to their maiden title, captained Wellington to victory in the Super Smash, and won the WPL with Mumbai Indians for a second time.
Her individual honours are equally extensive: player of the tournament at the T20 World Cup, the leading wicket-taker in the 2025 WPL, and the ICC's women's cricketer of the year for 2024.
Despite all of her accolades, the 24-year-old is confident there is room for another medal in her collection as she eyes glory with Manchester Originals in The Hundred.
"There's always space [for medals]. It doesn't take up much room," Kerr told BBC Sport. "The Hundred is something I want to win and haven't won before. I'd love to go home as a champion."
Manchester Originals hold an unfortunate title in the women's Hundred as the only team yet to progress beyond the group stage, achieving their highest finish of fifth in 2021.
However, Kerr, one of three overseas players in the Originals' ranks alongside Australia's Beth Mooney and West Indies' Deandra Dottin, believes a combination of "world-class players" and the attitude of new head coach Michael Klinger will bring success to Manchester.
"We've got such a good side. Sometimes that doesn't mean anything, it's about how you perform. But hopefully I can bring the belief that we can reach the final and be one of the best teams," she said.
"I'm so impressed with Michael Klinger. How he makes players feel in a short space of time, they are going to play without fear and express themselves and that's how you get the best out of people.
"Beth Mooney is one of the best T20 batters in the world and Sophie Ecclestone is often the best bowler. When you put that together, that's pretty exciting. It takes more than two players but we've got some world-class players and a strong domestic group."
Image source, Getty Images
