Sunrisers Leeds Secure Key England Players, Appoint Daniel Vettori as head Coach
The Sunrisers Leeds franchise has solidified its position for the 2026 season of The Hundred by retaining England stars Harry Brook and Brydon Carse, alongside the appointment of former New Zealand international Daniel Vettori as their new men’s head coach.
The move marks a significant step for the franchise,formerly known as Northern Superchargers,following a recent takeover by The Sun Group – owners of Indian Premier League powerhouse Sunrisers Hyderabad – who invested just over £100 million for a 100% stake in the team last year. The team calls Yorkshire’s iconic Headingley cricket ground home.
Both Brook and Carse have been integral parts of the team since the tournament’s inception in 2021. Multi-format internationals, the pair recently participated in England’s Ashes campaign and are currently included in the provisional squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Brook, 26, a Test vice-captain and white-ball skipper, faced scrutiny during the Ashes series, which Australia ultimately won 4-1, due to off-field conduct. Despite this, his on-field performance remains highly valued; he scored 227 runs in nine matches for the Superchargers in the 2025 edition of the Hundred, averaging 37.83. Reports suggest he is poised to earn approximately £500,000 for his participation with Sunrisers.
Fast bowler Carse, 30, was rested by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last year to manage his workload and did not feature in the competition. His return will bolster the bowling attack.
This summer’s edition of The Hundred is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16,strategically positioned between England’s white-ball series against India and a subsequent Test series against Pakistan.
In addition to retaining Brook and Carse, Sunrisers Leeds have directly signed Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh and seamer Nathan Ellis, ensuring their availability for the entire tournament. Teams participating in The Hundred are permitted to make up to four pre-auction retentions or direct signings, with the inaugural auction slated for March.
Vettori, 46, succeeds ex-england captain Andrew Flintoff as head coach. Flintoff, 48, who led the Superchargers for the past two seasons, reportedly felt his value exceeded the offer presented by the Sunrisers. Vettori stated in a company release, “I am looking forward to the upcoming season with the Sunrisers and hope the orange army can fill the stands.”
The appointment of vettori and the retention of key players signal a clear ambition from Sunrisers Leeds to compete at the highest level in The Hundred.
Why, Who, What, and How did it end?
Why: The Sunrisers Leeds are making strategic moves to improve their performance in The Hundred, following a significant investment from The Sun Group.They aim to become a competitive force in the tournament.
Who: Key players involved include Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Mitch Marsh, Nathan Ellis, Daniel Vettori (new head coach), and Andrew
