SUSANNA SEALY: The duo join the squad at Trent Bridge, which already includes internationals Nat Sciver, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Molineux and Elyse Villani
The Hundred - women fixtures 2021: Full schedule, dates
The Hundred - men fixtures 2021
Trent Rockets have announced the signings of Michaela Kirk and Ellie Mitchell ahead of The Hundred.
The pair join the women's squad alongside England stars Nat Sciver and Katherine Brunt, as well as Australia's Sophie Molineux and Elyse Villani.
Born in Johannesburg, 21-year-old right-hander Kirk has been playing for the South African side Northerns since 2012.
She made nine appearances during their successful 2019 campaign when they won the 50-over CSA Women's Provincial League, beating Free State in the final.
"I’m super excited to be able to play alongside some of the best players in the world and absorb as much knowledge as I can from them," she said.
"Salliann [Beams, head coach], too, has played and coached all over the world, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to pick her brains.
"It can all only help my game to grow, so I’m really looking forward to it."
Second new arrival Mitchell, a leg-spinner and all-rounder, started out playing for the Cornwall women until 2017 before joining Western Storm, where she was a part of their 2019 Kia Super League-winning squad.
Mitchell has also spent time with Loughborough Lightning and trained with the England academy.
"The Hundred is a massive step forwards for the women’s game," she said.
"Women’s cricket has grown so quickly in the past few years, and there are so many amazing female players who have the capability to perform at the same levels as the men, so it’s going to be really good for people to be able to see that.
"The whole competition will be so much bigger than we’ve been used to, so it will be great for everyone’s development, and I’m really excited to get going."
The women's competition kick-off The Hundred on July 21 when Oval Invincibles take on Manchester Originals. Rockets get their campaign underway during the first weekend of the tournament on July 24 when they host Southern Brave.
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