Southern Brave

Southern Brave is a franchise 100-ball cricket side based in the city of Southampton. The team represents the historic counties of Hampshire and Sussex in the newly founded The Hundred competition,[1] which took place for the first time during the 2021 English and Welsh cricket season. Both the men's side and the women's side play at the Rose Bowl, Hampshire.

History

In May 2019, the England and Wales Cricket Board applied to trademark six of the Hundred's eight team names, including Southern Brave.[2] While the tournament had often been described as "city-based" in early reports,[3] or that the names would have no geographical element,[4] Southern Brave were not the only team to have a regional name.

In August 2019 the side announced that former Sri Lanka batsman and 2019 IPL winning coach Mahela Jayawardene would be the men's team's first coach, while former England Women captain Charlotte Edwards was appointed coach of the Women's team.[5] Jayawardene will be assisted by former two former Hampshire players: Former New Zealand international bowler Shane Bond and former opening batsmen and current coach of Hampshire 2nd XI Jimmy Adams, while Richard Halsall will also assist the men's side.

The inaugural Hundred draft took place in October 2019 and saw the Brave claim Jofra Archer as their headline men's draftee, and Anya Shrubsole as the women's headliner. They were joined by England international James Vince and Chris Jordan for the men's team, while Danielle Wyatt joined Shrubsole on the women's side.[6]

As part of the 2025 Hundred sale, the ECB gave Hampshire County Cricket Club a 51% stake in the franchise with the remaining 49% sold in an auction process. GMR Group purchased 49% of the franchise with Hampshire County Cricket Club retaining their stake. They took operational control on 1 October 2025.[7][8]

Honours

Ground

Both the Southern Brave men's and women's sides play at the home in Hampshire County Cricket Club, the Utilita Bowl, in West End, a short distance outside of Southampton. The women's side had been due to play at the home in Sussex County Cricket Club, the County Ground in Hove, but both teams were brought together at the same ground as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current squads

• Bold denotes players with international caps.

Seasons

See also

• List of Southern Brave cricketers
• List of cricket grounds in England and Wales
• List of Test cricket grounds

Further reading

• BBC: The Hundred player draft – covering the first draft signings for each region's team

External links

• Official web page