Glamorgan wicket-keeper batter Chris Cooke has been selected by Welsh Fire for the 2023 edition of The Hundred as a Wildcard pick.
The veteran keeper had a stunning outing in the Vitality Blast, as he smashed the fastest century by a Glamorgan player against Middlesex in a record-breaking display at Merchant Taylors' School. It was the 6th fastest hundred of all time in the Blast.
The Glamorgan legend had a stunning tournament, collating 419 runs, smiting 22 sixes, and taking 8 dismissals behind the stumps. Cooke had previously played for Birmingham Phoenix in the inaugural The Hundred.
On his selection for Welsh Fire, Chris Cooke said "I'm absolutely thrilled to have been picked up by Welsh Fire in the Vitality Wildcard draft.
“The opportunity to play at a packed Sophia Gardens fills me with excitement. It's a place I obviously know incredibly well through my domestic cricket with Glamorgan, and I feel that Wales has become my home now which makes me very proud to represent this team.
“We look like we have a great opportunity this year with the picks made by Mike Hussey and the team. I’m looking forward to meeting up with everyone in the next couple of weeks and getting our campaign underway’’.
Welsh Fire have now confirmed their full squads as the Vitality Wildcard selections in the men’s competition and the final round of signings in the women’s competition have been announced.
Luke Wells was the other selection for the Men’s side and will join Mike Hussey’s Welsh Fire at Sophia Gardens this summer after excellent performances in the T20 format. Cooke will feel very at home at Cardiff while Wells is set to make his debut in the competition this year.
Emily Windsor and Georgia Davis will represent Welsh Fire this year having played for Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets respectively, Ella McCaughan from Southern Brave and Kate Coppack will also make her debut in the competition.
Both teams kick off their competitions on Wednesday 2 August, hosting Manchester Originals in Cardiff.
New signings announced today:
Welsh Fire: Emily Windsor, Ella McCaughan, Georgia Davis, Kate Coppack, Luke Wells, Chris Cooke
Luke Wells said: “I’m absolutely honoured to have been given this opportunity at the Welsh Fire. An opportunity I wouldn’t have dreamed of a few years ago. I can’t wait to meet up with the squad and the coaching staff and I’m incredibly excited by the idea of working with Mike Hussey. Hopefully I can contribute to wins and help bring success to the team.”
Emily Windsor said: "The Hundred is always a lot of fun to take part in, and it's going to be brilliant to be involved at Welsh Fire. We're really looking forward to coming together as a team and hopefully getting all of Wales behind us."
Tickets are selling fast for this season, and remain great value, with prices set at £5 for juniors aged 6-15, free for children five and under, and adults starting from £10.
Over 14.1 million people tuned in to watch The Hundred action in 2022 and games will again be broadcast live on Sky Sports and BBC broadcast and digital channels throughout the competition.
To stay up to date with the latest news, buy tickets or to sign up for priority access, visit thehundred.com or follow The Hundred, and the eight teams, on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Don't forget there are two action-packed fixtures at Sophia Gardens when Welsh Fire take on Manchester Originals on 2nd August, with tickets from just £12 for adults, and just £5. What a fantastic family day out to start the summer holidays. BOOK NOW.