Southern Courageous captain Sophie Molineux, contemporary off the again of main Australia to ICC Ladies’s T20 World Cup glory, says that the Utilita Bowl-based aspect is able to go for this yr’s version of The Hundred.
The annual competition kicks off this week, with Southern Courageous’s Males’s and Ladies’s sides taking part in their opening fixture towards Welsh Fireplace on Wednesday 22 July at Utilita Bowl, the house of cricket in Hampshire.
Molineux, who was not too long ago introduced as captain of Southern Courageous Ladies, is without doubt one of the most embellished within the sport, and not too long ago led the Australian aspect to T20 World Cup victory, beating England within the remaining.
On bringing her Australian wining tradition to Southern Courageous, Molineux mentioned: “That will be nice. It’s clearly a really totally different crew and a really totally different match, however it’s actually thrilling.”
For unique tales and all of the detailed cricket news you want, subscribe to The Cricket Paper web site, digital version, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day
Balanced squad
She continued: “Southern Courageous has had an enormous success within the match of their history and to have the ability to hopefully lead this crew to extra can be superb.”
And the captain believes that this yr’s squad has been constructed nicely, with loads of depth throughout all areas of the sport, and is wanting sturdy because the opening fixture attracts nearer.
She added: “Wanting on the squad, there’s lots of depth and talent, there’s lots of class with the bat after which some expertise with the ball as nicely.
“It’s a pleasant balanced squad so yeah, I’m actually excited to see what the group can do.”
Whereas a number of senior figures lead the squad, together with Lauren Bell, Jemimah Rodrigues and extra, the Southern Courageous squad is loaded with thrilling younger expertise together with England and Surrey prospect Tilly Corteen-Coleman.
When requested about Corteen-Coleman, Molineux mentioned: “I feel Tilly may train me a few issues as nicely.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to working together with her, she’s extraordinarily gifted and has performed very well wherever she’s gone thus far.
“We’ve obtained a fairly a younger squad, so there’s loads of gamers there that I’m actually wanting ahead to attending to know and hopefully studying off one another.”
Thrilling time
The Hundred is getting into a brand new section after the ECB finalised the sale of stakes in all eight groups, bringing new possession, gamers, kits and crew names.
Molineux believes that the adjustments have introduced a way of positivity, vitality and alternative to The Hundred.
She mentioned: “It feels nice, the vitality and the environment even simply internally within the lead as much as the match.
“It’s a very thrilling time for cricket in England and to be part of it’s actually particular and you may simply see that there’s a there’s an amazing really feel about it.
“We’re in an English summer time and the climate has been superb, nice for cricket, so whereas it’d feel and appear totally different at instances, on the similar time it’s a very constructive factor to be a part of.”
Southern Courageous kick off their marketing campaign at Utilita Bowl on Wednesday 22 July, with restricted tickets nonetheless accessible.
Southern Courageous Ladies tackle Welsh Fireplace from 3pm, earlier than the lads at 6:30pm.
READ MORE: The Hundred Women preview – Southern Brave favourites for the crown in 2026
