James Foster becomes first English head coach in men's Hundred with Northern Superchargers role

The former England wicketkeeper is highly rated on the franchise circuit and is currently working in the Pakistan Super League as head coach at Peshawar Zalmi

James Foster has been named head coach of the Northern Superchargers men's team ahead of The Hundred.

The 41-year-old, who most recently worked with England throughout the Ashes series, will begin preparations for the men's draft which takes place at the end of March.

Alongside his role in the England set-up, Foster has become a highly rated coach across the franchise circuit, having held roles in the Indian Premier League, Big Bash and Pakistan Super League, where he is currently in charge of Peshawar Zalmi.

He said: "I'm delighted to be joining the Northern Superchargers and working with the team this season. I loved watching The Hundred last year and seeing so many kids and families enjoying it, and I am really looking forward to meet up with the group and getting started.

"It's a huge privilege and I'm thrilled to be working with an exciting group of players and hopefully we can excite the supporters with the style of cricket we play."

^{Foster worked with England last summer and again during the Ashes (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

The former Essex and England wicketkeeper will be joined by Hassan Cheema, currently working for Islamabad United in the PSL, who will act as team analyst for Superchargers in the 2022 tournament.

Northern Superchargers general manager Andy Dawson added: "James has a vast amount of experience working with high profile coaches from around the world and we’re thrilled to appoint someone of his calibre.

"He embraces the culture and environment we want to create at Superchargers, and we're sure he will help us create sustainable success on and off the field."

He replaces Darren Lehmann, who resigned citing "uncertainty around Covid-19, quarantining and restrictions" after the inaugural edition of the competition. Another of Foster's early jobs will be to hire a new assistant, with Andrew Gale – sacked over the winter by Yorkshire for his role in the county's racism scandal – no longer involved.