HOW EXCITED ARE YOU TO JOIN THE HUNDRED?

I am really excited. It’s my first head coach role and I think it’s the right time for me. I’ve had three years out of the game and I’ve learned a lot by coaching overseas and working through the Southern Vipers. I feel like it’s my time to have a go and see what I can do. I’m really excited by the opportunity and The Hundred’s women’s competition more generally.

HOW GOOD IS IT TO HAVE A WOMEN’S TEAM AS WELL AS THE MEN’S TEAM?

We’ve normalised women’s cricket. Young boys come up to some of the women's players now and they see them as their heroes just as much as the men. I honestly think The Hundred is going to have a massive impact on the game at a grassroots level. Hopefully they’ll be able to identify with a team, certainly if they’re from the area, and I’m really looking forward to being there from the start and watching it all unfold over the next few years.

WHAT MAKES PLAYING IN ENGLAND SO SPECIAL?

There’s nothing better than a summer’s day in England at the cricket. Hopefully, that’s what The Hundred is going to bring to the game. We want people to come out and watch and see it as a really good day out for their family.

WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM DRAFT PICKS?

My male player would be Virat Kohli. If I could pick any female player it would be Karen Rolton but she’s not playing anymore! She would have been the ideal person to play The Hundred. She bowls left-arm seam and whacks it out the park. I might get her out of retirement.

HOW WILL YOU USE THE TIMEOUT?

I’m not sure the players will be looking forward to it, me marching on to the field half-way through the game! No, I think it’s a fantastic addition. I think sometimes you can get frustrated as a coach and you do want to stop the game. Sometimes it’s about telling the players they’re doing things really well – it doesn’t need to be negative. I can’t wait. It just adds that bit of drama to the game and I think it can only be a good thing for the game of cricket.

WHAT ABOUT 10 BALLS FROM ONE END?

I’ve got this vision of the first Hundred match and hopefully a bowler in my team getting three wickets in the first five balls and then they just carry on! What an element that could be. I can’t imagine bowling 10 myself but it’s great and just adds that bit of excitement to the game.

FEELINGS ON BEING IN THE HEAD COACH ROLE?

It’s exciting but it’s also nerve-wracking! I’ve known for a while that this role was on the cards and you’d be stupid not to get on the front foot, take the initiative and try and attract some of the best players in the world. I think it’s about making sure you pick the right people for your team from a culture point of view. That’s something I’m really passionate about. It’s about the best individuals, not necessarily the best players.

CRUCIAL TO GET YOUNG KIDS INTERESTED?

I’ve got two little nieces and they love cricket! They badger me to go and play in the back garden with them. I think they’ll be really excited that I’m going to be coach of a team now and hopefully they can be mascots for the first game! I’ve seen how they’ve loved cricket over the last few years. They go to All Stars and you just realise what a difference that cricket can make for young kids when they’re in the right environment. It certainly did so much for me. What an opportunity the sport has over the next few years.