Hannah Baker hoping Bears success can help Birmingham Phoenix soar
Hannah Baker reckons the positive approach brought by new head coach Ali Maiden can help Birmingham Phoenix women take flight in The Hundred.
Maiden’s appointment has coincided with a large-scale overhaul of a Phoenix squad which had won just three matches over the past two seasons.
A total of 10 new players have joined, including several from the Bears squad which Maiden led to last month’s inaugural T20 Blast final.
Their surprise success was founded on an aggressive style which included “green light” running, aimed at maximising every opportunity between the wickets.
Kingswinford’s Baker, who took 15 wickets for the Bears in the competition, says Phoenix fans can expect a similar energy.
She told the Express & Star: “This won’t be too dissimilar to the Bears. I feel we have the same philosophy and an athletic group of players, so it should suit us well.
“Ali is a really good coach. What he has done with the Bears this season is really bring us on.
“Hopefully he can bring some of that momentum to the Phoenix. We have 10 new players coming in, so it very much feels like a fresh start.”
At 21, Baker is both one of the youngest players in the tournament and also something of a veteran, having played in every edition of The Hundred since it was launched in 2021.
Increasingly seen as a senior member of the team, having made her England debut last year, the spinner nevertheless admits there is still a “pinch me” element to being captained by Australian legend Ellyse Perry, who is 13 years her senior.
“She was definitely an idol of mine growing up, so to have her as captain still feels a bit unreal,” said Baker.
“Just watching her train. She is so hard-working and knowledgeable. You can learn an awful lot as a player.”
Perry has been joined by her Aussie compatriots Megan Schutt and Georgia Voll, while Baker’s Bears team-mate’s Em Arlott adds strength to the bowling attack.
The Phoenix take on Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on Friday afternoon, with a big crowd expected.
“This is a great competition for the women’s game,” said Baker. “The crowds have grown massively from the first year. You get used to playing in front of crowds and used to dealing with pressure.
“It has improved me as a player, 100 per cent. You see how the standard in the women’s game has improved. That is at least partly down to The Hundred.”
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