Six Central Sparks players have been added as wildcards to four of the eight teams in The Hundred, as the final squads are announced.
Abbey Freeborn, Ami Campbell, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Ellie Anderson, and Georgia Davis have all been selected by Birmingham Phoenix, Manchester Originals, Southern Brave and the Welsh Fire as the competition’s third edition is due to begin next month.
Freeborn, Pavely and Perrin will link up with the Phoenix, Campbell returns to join the Originals for a second stint, while Davis moves from the Trent Rockets to the Welsh Fire, with Anderson being selected for the first time to join the Southern Brave.
The six players join the likes of Amy Jones, Emily Arlott, Erin Burns, Eve Jones, Grace Potts, Katie George, Hannah Baker & Issy Wong in the tournament, as Sparks will have strong representation in The Hundred throughout the month of August.
Youngsters Perrin, Pavely and Anderson are extremely honoured and excited to be involved, however it isn’t a first rodeo for Perrin, as the 16-year-old was with the Phoenix last year, as the competition’s youngest ever player at 15.
On being selected to line-up for Birmingham’s team in 2023, Perrin said: “I’m buzzing to be back in the competition, especially with such an amazing team.
“I can’t wait to get started and hopefully get a chance to show what I can do on the big stage.”
As well as Perrin, Pavely will get to experience lining up alongside players such as, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine and Abatha Maqsood.
18-year-old Pavely, who, like Anderson made her senior debut for the Sparks back in June, will follow her teammate Perrin and remain at Edgbaston for this year’s competition.
On her selection Pavely added: “It really is a dream come true to be picked by the Phoenix. I hope to bring the energy and charisma to a new group of people, to help the team succeed.”
Campbell will join George in the north west as she’ll play for the Manchester Originals for the second time. The 32-year-old has faced 72 balls and scored 52 runs in the comp for the Originals and will look to add to those numbers.
The Sparks number six adds a wealth of batting experience to the Originals’ squad and will be aiming to use that to help contribute to the Old Trafford-based side, who have a host of big names including the likes of Sophie Ecclestone, Emma Lamb and Amanda-Jade Wellington.
Having played in The Hundred since its inaugural edition in 2021 for the Trent Rockets, Sparks batter & wicket keeper Freeborn had this to say on signing with the Phoenix: “Super excited to be part of the Phoenix this year.
“The Hundred is an amazing experience and the atmosphere has always been great at Edgbaston, so it’ll be a pleasure to finally play on the home side like I do for the Sparks when we play there.”
It will be different for Freeborn who played against the Phoenix at Edgbaston for the Rockets but having bought up a milestone of 500 professional T20 runs last month, she will be wanting to extend that record when she pulls on the Birmingham shirt in August.
The final Spark to be included in the competition, for Welsh Fire, is Georgia Davis. Davis will join the likes of England’s Sophia Dunkley and Tammy Beaumont as she aims to perform as strongly as she has been for the Sparks this season.
Like Freeborn, Davis was a former Rocket but joins the Fire in hope she can deliver some performances to guide her new side to crucial wins this year.
Davis said: “It feels so good and fills me with excitement to be with the Fire this year. A new challenge and new faces to learn from.
“Hopefully I’ll get a chance to get on the field and help contribute to the team and fingers crossed we get our hands on the trophy.”
Finally, Anderson, 19, signs with the Southern Brave, and she says she’ll ‘cherish’ and ‘seize’ the opportunity to play when called upon.
The Hundred begins on Tuesday 1 August, with a double-header which sees the Trent Rockets host Southern Brave. Which is followed a day later with the Welsh Fire facing the Manchester Originals, while on Thursday 3 August the Phoenix travel to Leeds to face the Northern Superchargers.