Welsh Fire have appointed former Gloucestershire and England all-rounder Mark Alleyne as an assistant coach for the men’s team in The Hundred.
Alleyne is currently an ECB Test scout and Assistant Director of Sport at Marlborough College and travelled with the England men’s IT20 squad as a support coach during their recent tour of the West Indies.
Renowned for his success as a player in one-day cricket, Alleyne represented England in ten one-day internationals and captained Gloucestershire to nine one-day trophies in seven years.
Alleyne will form the Welsh Fire men’s coaching team along with head coach Gary Kirsten and fellow assistant coaches Matt Maynard and Jason Kerr.
On joining the Welsh Fire coaching set-up, Mark Alleyne, said: “I’m delighted to be joining Welsh Fire and have the opportunity to work with Gary Kirsten and his coaching team.
“It’s exciting to be able to work closely with elite players and hopefully I can use my experience to add extra value to what they do and help create a winning formula for Welsh Fire.
“I loved watching The Hundred last year and it’s exciting to get involved in a competition that captured the imagination of fans and brought new audiences to cricket.”
Mark Wallace, Team Manager at Welsh Fire, said: “Mark was one of the most forward-thinking and progressive players of his generation and is a great addition to the Welsh Fire coaching staff.
“He is full of enthusiasm and knowing Mark he will bring plenty of new ideas to the table that will help take Welsh Fire to the next level.”
The Hundred proved a big hit last year with families and young people relishing the mix of fast-paced cricket with music and family entertainment off the pitch which will only be bigger and better this year.
Sophia Gardens will come alive with new activities offering even more fun for all the family and a diverse range of great music acts through the continuing partnership with BBC Music Introducing. Year two of The Hundred will also offer a new range of merchandise to get the family kitted out in full Welsh Fire colours.
Welsh Fire men’s side start their campaign at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday 3 August in the opening game of the competition against Southern Brave. The side will then host Oval Invincibles at Sophia Gardens on Sunday 7 August. The women get started the following Saturday (13 August) in a double header against Birmingham Phoenix at Sophia Gardens. The final home game of the competition sees Welsh Fire welcome Northern Superchargers for a double header on Friday 26 August.
Tickets
Get your seat now so you don’t miss out on the sport and entertainment event of the summer –ticket are now on general sale via www.thehundred.com.
The Hundred offers an affordable day out for the family, with U16 tickets priced at £5 and free for children aged five and under, and there are family-friendly stands in every ground.
Make sure you don’t miss out - tickets have already been selling fast after last year’s buyers were given first chance to get their seats for this year.