NEW Zealand superstar Trent Boult and Australian swing bowler Megan Schutt have become Birmingham Phoenix’s first Direct Signings in The Hundred.
The pair have joined the Edgbaston-based team on Deadline Day as the men’s and women’s squads begin to form ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Boult makes up a fiery attack alongside fellow New Zealand fast bowlers Tim Southee and Adam Milne in the Birmingham Phoenix men’s squad.
While Schutt joins world-class Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry and England wicketkeeper Amy Jones.
Phoenix have also confirmed their retentions on Deadline Day, forming both men’s and women’s squads ahead of The Hundred Draft on March 12.
The England men’s trio of Liam Livingstone, Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell return to the Phoenix alongside Birmingham’s own Dan Mousley.
Benny Howell and Will Smeed also remain at Edgbaston for the 2025 edition of The Hundred after starring roles last year.
Alongside international stars Perry, Schutt and Jones, the women’s squad is made up of a strong domestic core with local Bears players Hannah Baker and Charis Pavely re-joining as well as Phoenix’s leading wicket taker in 2024 Emily Arlott.
Scotland international Ailsa Lister makes up the final of the retained players leaving eight slots to fill in The Hundred draft ahead of Ali Maiden’s first summer in charge of the Phoenix.
Birmingham Phoenix’s 2025 campaign will get underway this summer with one of the biggest games in The Hundred fixture schedule – a fiercely fought derby against local rivals Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on Friday, August 8.
The men’s team will be looking to go one better after reaching the eliminator in 2024, while the women’s team will be looking to build on a positive 2025 campaign with their new head coach Maiden now in place.
Boult said: “I’m delighted to be joining Birmingham Phoenix this year. It’ll be great to play alongside two guys I’ve played a lot of cricket with for New Zealand in Tim Southee and Adam Milne.
“Hopefully we’ll bring our skills and experience to the attack to go one better than last year to get to the final. The squad is so strong with some of the best talent in England and Birmingham so I’m excited to take part in the competition.”
Schutt added: “It’s a great feeling to be the first direct signing for Birmingham Phoenix. I’m so excited to be playing alongside my Aussie mate Ellyse Perry and I can’t wait to see the amazing crowds that Edgbaston is renowned for.
“The Hundred is a great competition and I’ll be giving my all for Birmingham Phoenix to compete for the trophy for the first time.”
Birmingham Phoenix Women: Ellyse Perry, Amy Jones, Emily Arlott, Megan Schutt, Hannah Baker, Charis Pavely, Ailsa Lister
Birmingham Phoenix Men: Liam Livingstone, Ben Duckett, Trent Boult, Jacob Bethell, Benny Howell, Adam Milne, Dan Mousley, Tim Southee, Will Smeed
- From today, supporters who are members at counties or fans who have bought tickets for The Hundred in three seasons or more are able to buy match tickets.
- An exclusive window open will be open to fans who have previously bought tickets to The Hundred from 4-18 March. All other fans who would like to access priority tickets can enter the priority sale window from 1-15 April by signing up in advance at thehundred.com.
- The general sale period for the fifth year of The Hundred begins from 17 April. Tickets continue to be great value, with prices set at £5 for juniors aged 3-15 (free for under 3s) and adults starting from £14.
