Ben Sawyer to coach Birmingham women's team in The Hundred

The two-time Women's Big Bash League winner is the latest coach to be confirmed for the competition scheduled to start in 2020

Ben Sawyer has been announced as the coach for the Birmingham-based women's team in The Hundred.

The 40-year-old has great pedigree in white-ball competitions having led the Sydney Sixes to the Women's Big Bash League final on four occasions, winning the title in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

He has also worked with Australia as a fast-bowling specialist. Sawyer joins Andrew McDonald at the Midlands side after the Victorian was confirmed to lead the men's team.

"Speaking to players around the world, The Hundred is a competition that they’re all talking about and want to get involved in," he said.

"I’m very excited to be appointed as Head Coach of the Birmingham Women’s team and I’m looking forward to assembling a team that can combine global superstars with a lot of the local talent here in the West Midlands that has performed so well in the recent county women’s T20."

The Birmingham franchise are yet to be officially named but they will play their matches at Blackfinch New Road, home of Worcestershire.

Squads for the competition are also yet to be unveiled, but two players from the England women's central contract list will be signed by each side by the end of September.

The following months will see all remaining players who have committed to playing, including from England and overseas, signed until the 15-strong group is complete.

A draft will be conducted for the men's competition which is scheduled to take place on October 20.