Cricket

Harry Brook, the rising star of English cricket, has been entrusted with the captaincy of Northern Superchargers for the upcoming men's Hundred tournament. This appointment marks a significant milestone in Brook's career, as he is widely regarded as a potential successor to Jos Buttler as England's white-ball captain.Brook's previous captaincy experience includes leading the England Under-19 team in the 2018 World Cup in New Zealand. However, this is his first captaincy role at the professional level. The decision to appoint Brook as captain was made by incoming head coach Andrew Flintoff, who has been working closely with the England white-ball team in recent months."It's an honor to captain Northern Superchargers, and I'm really excited for it," Brook said. "It's always special to play at Headingley and to represent the area, and to do that as captain in the Hundred this year will be extra special."Brook's appointment as captain is a testament to his exceptional talent and leadership qualities. In his most recent appearance for Superchargers, he played one of the greatest innings in Hundred history, scoring an unbeaten 102 from 42 balls against Welsh Fire at Headingley. This performance helped him earn a place in the England squad for the 50-over World Cup.The Superchargers squad boasts a star-studded lineup, including England Test captain Ben Stokes, West Indies' Nicholas Pooran, and Brook's England teammates Adil Rashid and Reece Topley. The team was recently bolstered by the signing of former England opener Jason Roy, who replaces the suspended Brydon Carse."I really like the look of the squad we've formed, and I think there's a lot to be excited about," Brook said. "I can't wait to work with Freddie and the rest of the group and hopefully it'll be a year to remember."In the women's team, Hollie Armitage will continue as captain, alongside head coach Dani Hazell. The team finished as runners-up to Southern Brave in the 2023 campaign and will be looking to go one step further this year.

Jason Roy, a pivotal member of England's 2019 World Cup-winning squad, has secured a lifeline in the Hundred after being overlooked in the March draft. The Northern Superchargers, led by Andrew Flintoff, have signed Roy as a replacement player, offering him a chance to showcase his skills in the upcoming tournament.Roy's release from the Oval Invincibles, the defending Hundred champions, came after a disappointing season where he averaged a mere 17.11. Despite entering the draft with a £100,000 reserve price, none of the eight teams deemed his recent form worthy of a high salary.However, the Superchargers have recognized Roy's potential and have offered him a contract as a replacement for Brydon Carse, who is ineligible to play due to a recent betting ban. The details of Roy's contract remain undisclosed, as replacement players can negotiate salaries directly with teams within the overall salary cap.Roy's availability for the Superchargers' opening match is uncertain due to his commitments in Major League Cricket. He is scheduled to represent the Los Angeles Knight Riders, and the tournament's final coincides with the Superchargers' season opener.Flintoff, who is taking over as the Superchargers' coach this year, has been gradually involved in England's white-ball backroom staff. He is currently with the squad in Guyana ahead of their T20 World Cup semi-final.Roy's signing marks a significant addition to the Superchargers' squad. Despite a quiet start to the English season, he remains a dangerous batsman capable of turning matches on its head. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they aim to challenge for the Hundred title.