Sunrisers Leeds Retain England Stars, Appoint Vettori as Men's Coach Ahead of The Hundred Revamp
Sunrisers Leeds, the rebranded Yorkshire-based franchise under new IPL ownership, have secured England internationals Harry Brook and Brydon Carse for the 2026 season of The Hundred, while announcing Daniel Vettori as their new men's head coach.
The franchise, formerly known as the Northern Superchargers, was acquired last year by the Sun Group—owners of IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad—in a deal exceeding £100 million. The retentions of multi-format players Brook and Carse, who have been with the side since the tournament’s inception in 2021, signal continuity amid significant structural changes.
Brook, England's white-ball captain and Test vice-captain, scored 227 runs in nine appearances last season and is reportedly set to earn around £500,000 for his involvement. Carse, the fast bowler, was rested for the 2025 edition under an ECB workload management program. Both are part of England’s provisional squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
They will be joined by Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh and seamer Nathan Ellis as direct signings, with both expected to be available for the full tournament window from July 21 to August 16.
Vettori, 46, the current head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, replaces former England captain Andrew Flintoff, who departed after stating he was “worth more” than the franchise’s offer. “I am looking forward to the upcoming season with the Sunrisers and hope the orange army can fill the stands,” Vettori said.
Women’s Champions Retain Core Trio Under New Coach
The women’s team, defending champions of The Hundred, have retained a powerful core: Australian stars Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield—the tournament’s leading run-scorer in 2025—alongside England seamer Kate Cross. They will be led by new head coach Adrian Birrell, succeeding Lisa Keightley, who left to coach the Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League.
Franchise Moves Across the Competition
Elsewhere in The Hundred, notable player movements are taking shape:
Trent Rockets: England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt remains, while explosive Australian batter Tim David joins from Southern Brave.
Birmingham Phoenix: Prominent England all-rounder Alice Capsey has moved from Oval Invincibles and will join Australian great Ellyse Perry. England’s Jacob Bethell and Rehan Ahmed will also feature for the men’s side.
With the inaugural auction set for March, these early retentions and signings outline the strategic foundations for franchises as they prepare for a highly anticipated 2026 season.
