Liam Livingstone, the hard-hitting all-rounder, has been named the new captain of Birmingham Phoenix for the 2025 edition of the Hundred. The announcement comes after Moeen Ali decided to skip the fifth season of the competition as part of his retirement from domestic cricket. Moeen’s decision to step down as captain has paved the way for Livingstone, who has been one of the standout performers for the Phoenix in previous seasons.

Livingstone's Leadership Role

Livingstone's appointment comes after his stellar run with Birmingham Phoenix over the last four seasons. He has been the highest run-scorer for the Phoenix, showcasing his consistency and form. Livingstone, who is well-known for his explosive batting and versatile bowling, will now aim to take the Phoenix to new heights in the 2025 edition of the Hundred.

The new captain has previously demonstrated his leadership capabilities, especially during his stint as the ODI captain for England when he led the team in the absence of Jos Buttler in the West Indies last year. This experience, combined with his extensive knowledge of white-ball cricket, makes him a natural choice to lead the Phoenix. Livingstone’s role as a senior player in the England setup further emphasizes his leadership qualities and his ability to guide a team under pressure.

Changes in the Phoenix Squad

As Birmingham Phoenix prepares for the new season, they have made some significant changes to their squad. With Moeen Ali’s absence, Phoenix has retained much of their core, including the New Zealand pace duo of Tim Southee and Adam Milne, along with the addition of Trent Boult as the key overseas signing. The addition of Joe Clarke, who will serve as the opener and wicketkeeper, further strengthens the team. The Phoenix also brought back Tom Helm, a pacer, during the draft.

Birmingham Phoenix’s roster for the 2025 season now looks well-rounded, and the inclusion of quality players like Livingstone, Trent Boult, and Joe Clarke will certainly enhance their chances of success. The team still has the opportunity to sign additional players as wildcard picks at the end of May.

Other Teams Changing Captains

Birmingham Phoenix is not the only team undergoing leadership changes in the 2025 edition of the Hundred. London Spirit have appointed Kane Williamson, the veteran New Zealand captain, as their new leader after releasing Dan Lawrence, who was subsequently drafted by the Northern Superchargers. Meanwhile, Trent Rockets, the 2022 champions, are yet to announce a new captain after Lewis Gregory was released and joined the Manchester Originals.

Livingstone’s IPL and International Impact

Liam Livingstone’s recent IPL 2025 acquisition by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) brings more opportunities for growth. Working alongside experienced players like Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the IPL will provide Livingstone with invaluable leadership insights. His exposure to world-class players in the IPL will likely benefit his leadership at Birmingham Phoenix as well.

With a mixture of international experience and domestic success, Liam Livingstone is poised to take Birmingham Phoenix into a new era of leadership in the Hundred. His batting prowess and strategic mindset will play a crucial role as the Phoenix look to bounce back from a challenging 2024 season and challenge for the title in 2025.

Phoenix Squad for 2025

• Liam Livingstone (c)
• Ben Duckett
• Jacob Bethell
• Benny Howell
• Dan Mousley
• Will Smeed
• Chris Wood
• Aneurin Donald
• Joe Clarke
• Harry Moore
• Tom Helm
• Trent Boult
• Adam Milne
• Tim Southee

As the new season kicks off, Birmingham Phoenix fans will be hopeful that Livingstone’s leadership will inspire the team to lift the Hundred title and continue to build on the foundation laid by previous seasons.

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