London Spirit, the Lord’s-based franchise in The Hundred, has taken a bold step towards a new era by appointing a celebrated winner as its men’s head coach. The franchise has invested in renewed ambition and strategic change following a turbulent 2025 season, marked by a lowly finish in the eight-team league and significant shifts in its leadership structure. Central to this change is a major new influx of capital from a US-led tech consortium, setting the stage for a reinvigorated campaign at cricket’s most historic venue.
New investors on the horizon for The Hundred franchise
This high-profile acquisition comes as part of London Spirit’s bid to make a mark in The Hundred’s fiercely competitive landscape. The club’s new investment group, which now owns 49%, comprises renowned technology leaders: Times Internet’s Satyan Gajwani, Nikesh Arora of Palo Alto Networks, Egon Durban of Silver Lake, and senior executives hailing from Google, Adobe, and YouTube. Yet the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Lord’s custodians, remains the majority stakeholder with 51% control. This transatlantic partnership is anticipated to blend traditional cricketing values with innovative sporting operations, with the Spirit’s board making a decisive move by bringing in elite coaching talent to deliver results.
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RCB’s title-winning coach joins The Hundred
The club’s new head coach has been revealed as Andy Flower, the highly respected Zimbabwean cricketing figure and architect of multiple coaching triumphs. Flower is no stranger to English success, having steered England to an era of dominance between 2009 and 2014, highlighted by three consecutive Ashes series wins and a World T20 title. More recently, Flower masterminded Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s historic IPL title win earlier this year, ending the franchise’s long search for a trophy. His track record in franchise cricket is nothing short of exemplary, including a five-year spell with Trent Rockets that culminated in their 2022 championship in The Hundred.
Reflecting on his appointment, Flower expressed palpable enthusiasm: “Joining London Spirit and working at the Home of Cricket is a tremendous privilege,” the 57-year-old said. He went on to highlight his excitement about reuniting with Mo Bobat—his trusted collaborator who played a pivotal role in Bengaluru’s IPL triumph and now leads Spirit’s cricket operations.
Flower replaces Justin Langer, who spent only a single season at the helm, with the team finishing seventh. Spirit’s director of cricket, Bobat, praised Langer for his professionalism and service, while emphasizing the club’s fresh direction: “Andy’s proven success across international and franchise cricket speaks for itself. I’m thrilled to work with him and confident that together we can drive Spirit to new heights in The Hundred.”
With its blend of historic Lord’s gravitas, trailblazing international ownership, and a proven winner at the controls, London Spirit is positioning itself for a serious tilt at the 2026 title. Flower’s arrival is seen not just as a boost for the franchise’s ambitions, but also as a sign of The Hundred’s growing allure for the cricket world’s most accomplished leaders.
