A new season brings dynamics, and the teams will look to carry out their plans more successfully and overcome the challenges. At this time, it would be difficult to predict a winner, but by looking at the makeup of the eight sides, you might be able to make your predictions for The Hundred -
# Southern Brave Women
The defending champions finally broke the jinx last season, grabbing their first title. They defeated the Northern Superchargers Women in the final in a one-sided contest. It was a much-deserved title win, as the side has been runner-up in the first two seasons. Georgia Adams takes over the captaincy from Anya Shrubsole, who retired last season. She and her players will look to put up a good show. The team has a power-packed squad, and they will look for a good show with the bat from Smriti Mandhana, Maia Boucher, and Danielle Wyatt. Lauren Bell, Chole Tryon, Lauren Cheatle, and Freya Kemp make it a good bowling attack. They have the resources to go the distance in this tournament.
Squad – Georgia Adams (c), Smriti Mandhana, Danni Wyatt, Chloe Tryon, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Freya Kemp, Naomi Dattani, Lauren Cheatle, Kalea Moore, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Rhianna Southby, Mary Taylor, Sophie Luff, Katie Jones, Charli Knott
# Northern Superchargers Women
The Northern Superchargers made the biggest turnaround last season after struggling in the first two editions. They finished second on the points table at the group stage but lost to the Southern Brave Women in the final. Hollie Armitage would like to see her players deliver consistently this season, as last year did, and aim for their first title. Phoebe Litchfield, Bess Heath, and Marie Kelly will be key batters for the team, and they must do well. Kate Cross and Georgia Wareham are experienced bowlers, and the side will look for a good show as they have a young batting lineup this year.
Squad - Hollie Armitage (c), Annabel Sutherland, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Wareham, Kate Cross, Bess Heath, Linsey Smith, Alice Davidson-Richards, Hollie Armitage, Grace Ballinger, Marie Kelly, Lucy Higham, Ella Claridge, Davina Perrin, Jodi Grewcock, Sophia Turner
# Oval Invincibles Women
From winning the tournament in the first two editions to failing to qualify for the Elimination round last year, the Southern Braves have seen it all. They would look to draw inspiration from the first two seasons, where the side has lost only four games and dominated their opponents. Lauren Winfield-Hill will take over as skipper from Dane van Niekerk, bringing a lot of energy to the team. They have a strong batting lineup with Chamari Athapaththu, Alice Capsey, and Lauren Winfield-Hill. The all-rounders have won games for them in the past, and they will need good performances from Marizanne Kapp, Georgia Boyce, and Mady Villiers. They will be one of the teams to watch out for this year.
Squad - Lauren Winfield-Hill (c), Chamari Athapaththu, Marizanne Kapp, Alice Capsey, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Mady Villiers, Paige Scholfield, Sophia Smale, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Jo Gardner, Lizzie Scott, Georgie Boyce, Rachel Slater, Amara Carr, Laura Harris.
# Trent Rockets Women
They finished fourth on the points table last season and failed to qualify for the second round. The side has struggled to win crunch games and never come close to winning the title. Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt is an experienced campaigner looking to get the best out of her players in this tournament. They are one of the dark horses, quite naturally, with their batting strength with players like Nat Sciver-Brunt, Ashleigh Gardner, and Heather Graham. Alana King and Kirstie Gordon are good bowlers in this format and will look to do well in this tournament as the team aims to have the trophy in its cabinet.
Squad - Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Scrivens, Alana King, Heather Graham, Bryony Smith, Katie George, Kirstie Gordon, Grace Potts, Alexa Stonehouse, Josie Groves, Kira Chathli, Cassidy McCarthy, Aylish Cranstone, Natasha Wraith.
# Manchester Originals Women
Sophie Ecclestone's side couldn't get its acts going last year and finished seventh on the points table. They won only two games and failed to reach the Eliminator. The Originals skipper will look to make a positive start this year. She will look for a good show with the bat from experienced players like Laura Wolvaardt, Beth Mooney, and Emma Lamb. The bowling attack is strong, and the side will like a good show from Sophie Molineux and Sophie Ecclestone to take on the stronger sides in the tournament. Their batting strength puts them in a strong position this year
Squad – Sophie Ecclestone (c), Beth Mooney, Kim Garth, Laura Wolvaardt, Lauren Filer, Eve Jones, Emma Lamb, Fi Morris, Kathryn Bryce, Phoebe Graham, Ellie Threlkeld, Liberty Heap, Danielle Gregory, Alice Monaghan, Bethan Ellis.
# Welsh Fire Women
Tammy Beaumont must put the disappointments of the past three seasons behind. They made a strong comeback last year to reach the Eliminator after finishing at the bottom of the points table in the first two seasons. This year, they are one of the strongest sides in terms of team composition. Sophia Dunkley, Hayley Matthews, and Tammy Beaumont add strength to the batting lineup, and they will look to do well. Freya Davies, Jess Jonassen, and Shabnim Ismail are experienced bowlers and can put batters under pressure. They will threaten other teams and have the firepower to win the title.
Squad - Tammy Beaumont (c), Hayley Matthews, Sophia Dunkley, Shabnim Ismail, Tammy Beaumont, Jess Jonassen, Georgia Elwiss, Sarah Bryce, Freya Davies, Phoebe Franklin, Emily Windsor, Ella McCaughan, Beth Langston, Alex Griffiths, Georgia Davis, Kate Coppack
# Birmingham Phoenix Women
Ellyse Perry would like to see her side break away from last year's disastrous show. They finished at the bottom of the points table, failing to win any games. The side has good players, and they will expect a good show with the bat from Sophie Devine, Amy Jones, and Richa Ghosh. On the bowling front, the side will expect good shows from Issy Wong and Katie Levick. They must punch above their weight to defeat the stronger sides in the tournament. A good start will be important for them to erase the memories of last year's defeat.
Squad - Ellyse Perry (c), Amy Jones, Sophie Devine, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Katie Levick, Issy Wong, Emily Arlott, Hannah Baker, Seren Smale, Chloe Brewer, Sterre Kalis, Charis Pavely, Fran Wilson, Lissy Macleod, Suzie Bates, Emma Jones
# London Spirit Women
Heather Knight leads one of the strongest teams in the tournament, but the results haven't gone their way. They won just two games last year, as they had done in 2022, and failed to power their campaign. The side will expect a good show with the bat from Knight, Meg Lanning, and Grace Harris. The bowling attack is strong for the team, and they expect Sarah Glenn, Tara Norris, and Charlie Dean to deliver good performances consistently. They have failed to play well as a unit and must get over their habit of relying on individual brilliance
Squad - Heather Knight (c), Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, Danielle Gibson, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Cordelia Griffith, Georgia Redmayne, Eva Gray, Sophie Munro, Hannah Jones, Tara Norris, Niamh Holland, Abbey Freeborn, Ellie Anderson, Erin Burns
