Stephen Fleming has resigned as head coach of Southern Brave’s men’s Hundred team, citing family reasons. Fleming, who succeeded Mahela Jayawardene ahead of the 2023 season, led the team to the knockout stages in both of his years in charge, including a loss in the final last season.
For the 2025 season, he will be replaced by Adi Birrell, Hampshire’s head coach, as part of the Hundred franchises strengthening ties with their host clubs during the ongoing privatisation process. Birrell, who recently led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back SA20 titles, will be the first county head coach to also lead a men’s Hundred team, although several county coaches have served as assistant coaches. Birrell will be replaced as Hampshire’s head coach during the Metro Bank Cup but he will continue in his roles for the County Championship and T20 Blast.
Fleming’s resignation avoids a potential conflict of interest, as his long-standing association with Chennai Super Kings would complicate his position at the Brave, given Hampshire’s recent sale to GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals. GMR is set to become the majority shareholder in the Brave this year.
Fleming, who has coached Chennai since 2009 and also oversees their franchises in Major League Cricket (Texas Super Kings) and the SA20 (Joburg Super Kings), stated that stepping down would allow him to spend more time at home.
“I absolutely loved my time at Southern Brave, working in the Hundred and working with a great group of people at Utilita Bowl,” Fleming said. “We got close to winning a couple of times so it’s difficult to step down but for family reasons I need to be able to dedicate more time to being at home this season. I wish everyone at Southern Brave the best for 2025.”
Giles White, Director of Cricket at the Brave and Hampshire, praised Fleming’s work, saying, “Stephen created an excellent environment for the players and it has been an enjoyable and successful stint with us… In his place we are delighted to welcome Adi Birrell and look forward to seeing him build on the team’s success in 2025.”
White and Birrell have until February 24 to finalize their 2025 squad, with teams allowed to retain up to 11 players, including one designated central contract player, and one direct overseas signing. The ECB is hopeful that a new top men’s salary of £200,000 will attract world-class players to the Hundred.
Southern Brave is the fifth Hundred team to recruit a new coach this winter. Justin Langer replaced Trevor Bayliss at London Spirit, while Ali Maiden (Birmingham Phoenix), Michael Klinger (Manchester Originals), and Lisa Keightley (Northern Superchargers) took over from Ben Sawyer, Stephen Parry, and Dani Hazell, respectively, in the women’s competition.
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Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @SPFleming7
