All-rounders David Willey and Ash Gardner have been appointed captains of the Trent Rockets men’s and women’s teams respectively for the 2025 season of The Hundred, set to begin this summer.
Willey, 35, joins the Rockets for his first campaign with the franchise after stints with Northern Superchargers and Welsh Fire. He takes over leadership duties from Lewis Gregory.
Gardner, 28, is entering her second season with the Rockets after impressing last year as both the team’s second-highest run-scorer and leading wicket-taker. She replaces Nat Sciver-Brunt, who stepped down to manage her workload ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup later this year.
Leadership experience at the highest level
Both Willey and Gardner bring valuable leadership experience to their new roles. Willey is currently captain of Northamptonshire in the Vitality Blast and has earned over 100 caps for England, playing a key role in their 2022 T20 World Cup victory. His career includes more than 300 T20 wickets and over 4,500 runs across formats, with 18 fifties and two centuries to his name.
Gardner, a mainstay of the dominant Australian women’s cricket team, has played in 180 international matches across formats. She led the Gujarat Giants in the WPL last year and is a three-time T20 World Cup winner (2018, 2020, 2023). She has scored nearly 4,800 runs and taken more than 200 wickets in T20s.
Willey and Gardner react to captaincy call
“I’m delighted to be taking on the Trent Rockets captaincy,” said Willey. “I’ve loved playing in The Hundred over the past four years, and I’m excited to be leading such a strong group of players. We’ve got a great squad and coaching staff, and I’m confident this team can bring some success this year.”
Gardner added: “Playing for the Rockets last year was so much fun, and it will be incredible this year to lead the team. Taking over from Nat is an honour, and we have a great squad this year so I’m really excited to get going as captain.”
Trent Rockets fixtures and what’s ahead
With strong international and domestic cores in both squads, the Rockets are expected to be contenders in the fifth edition of The Hundred. Their 2025 fixture list is available here.
Fans will be eager to see how Willey and Gardner shape their teams as the tournament approaches, especially with several stars expected to participate across the men’s and women’s competitions.
