SOUTHERN Brave will be back in action in The Hundred on Wednesday, August 6, with the men’s and women’s teams kicking off their campaigns with an away trip to Manchester Originals.

Brave’s first games come the day after the fifth year of world-class cricket and blockbuster entertainment gets underway with a London derby between London Spirit and Oval Invincibles at Lord’s on Tuesday, August 5.

Utilita Bowl will play host for the first time on Sunday, August 10 when Brave take on Birmingham Phoenix.

Northern Superchargers then make the trip from Leeds to the south coast on Wednesday, August 13 before the Brave head to Trent Bridge to take on the Rockets on Saturday, August 16.

Two days later, and the Brave take on Oval Invincibles at home before trips to Sophia Gardens and Lord’s on Wednesday, August 20 and Saturday, August 23 respectively.

Southern Brave end their group stage with a home tie against Welsh Fire on Thursday, August 28.

Both Southern Brave teams will hope to make it all the way to Lord’s for The Hundred Final on Sunday, August 31, the culmination of 34 matchdays across 27 days.

Saturday, August 30 will see the Kia Oval host The Hundred Eliminator, in which second- and third-placed teams compete for a place in The Hundred Final.

This season, for the first time, direct signings have been permitted in The Hundred. Teams in the men’s and women’s competitions will be able to sign one new overseas player by Deadline Day on 24 February.

South African captain Laura Wolvaardt has today been confirmed as Southern Brave’s first-ever direct signing, bringing some top-order class to Charlotte Edwards’ Brave team.

Southern Brave speedster Tymal Mills, who has been retained, said: “I am absolutely
buzzing to be going again for Southern Brave and can’t wait to get back in front of the fans at Utilita Bowl come 10 August.

"It’s such a fun place to play cricket, the fans generate a great atmosphere and I know they’ll be back out again in their numbers this year cheering on both the men’s and women’s teams.”

Southern Brave fixtures (all games men’s and women’s double-headers)

Wednesday 6 August: Manchester Originals v Southern Brave, Emirates Old Trafford.

Sunday 10 August: Southern Brave v Birmingham Phoenix, Utilita Bowl

Wednesday 13 August: Southern Brave v Northern Superchargers, Utilita Bowl

Saturday 16 August: Trent Rockets v Southern Brave, Trent Bridge

Monday 18 August: Southern Brave v Oval Invincibles, Utilita Bowl

Wednesday 20 August: Welsh Fire v Southern Brave, Sophia Gardens

Saturday 23 August: London Spirit v Southern Brave, Lord’s

Thursday 28 August: Southern Brave v Welsh Fire, Utilita Bowl

Saturday 30 August: The Hundred Eliminator, the Kia Oval

Sunday 31 August: The Hundred Final, Lord’s