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Lehmann, Hazell to coach Leeds-based teams in The Hundred

by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

Former Australia player Darren Lehmann has been appointed head coach of the men’s Leeds team in The Hundred, while former England international Danielle Hazell will take charge of the women’s team.

Lehmann is the fourth Australian to join The Hundred as a men’s coach and Hazell is the first English coach appointed in the tournament. Rumoured to be called ‘Northern Superchargers’, the franchise will represent Yorkshire and Durham in the eight-team competition.

Lehmann, widely considered as one of Yorkshire’s greatest players, was a part of their 2001 County Championship winning side – their first title in 33 years – and scored over 14,000 runs across 10 seasons at Headingley. The former Australia and current Brisbane Heat coach is excited about returning to his happy hunting ground.

“It is going to be special to get back up north where I have so many good memories from my playing days. To go back there to coach in The Hundred is exciting and hopefully we can have some success,” he said.

“I know how passionate the fans are and they will demand that we play an entertaining brand of cricket and win. You expect that when you know the proud tradition of both Yorkshire and Durham. We want to bring in some of the best players in the world and if those players can get it right on the pitch then the competition can go through the roof.”

The 49-year-old also believes that The Hundred’s unique format will go a long way towards bringing fans together and has the potential in going international with time. “It’s an interesting format, family-friendly, and it’s about trying to get different people back into the game.

“If we make a success of it then it probably will be played internationally. I think at different times we’ll see it in different nations and I can see it going ahead if that’s what the countries want,” added Lehmann, who represented Australia in 144 international games.

The women’s team in-charge Danielle Hazell is a successful England and Yorkshire player, who was part of England’s 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup-winning squad. The 31-year-old announced her retirement from international cricket in January this year and is currently coaching Yorkshire Diamonds in the Kia Super League.

“Things have happened pretty quickly in my coaching career but you have to take the bull by the horns and enjoy the opportunities that come your way and make the most of them,” said Hazell, who represented England in 141 internationals.

“It’s exciting to be involved in a massive step forward for women’s domestic cricket. This can push the game forward. After spending my career travelling around the world it is great to be back in the north and putting something back into the region and the game.”

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