LONDON — In a major statement of intent ahead of the 2026 season, London Spirit have secured the signatures of three England internationals, headlining a significant squad overhaul that sees eight new players join the Lord's-based franchise.
The club confirmed on Tuesday that explosive batter Liam Livingstone, fast-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton, and leading spin-bowling all-rounder Charlie Dean have all committed to the Spirit for the next two editions of The Hundred. The signings represent a coup for the capital side, which finished sixth in the men's competition and fourth in the women's in 2024.
Spirit's Head of Men's Cricket, Stephen Fleming, expressed his delight at the new arrivals, stating: "To bring in players of the calibre of Liam and Jamie is a huge boost for our ambitions. They are proven match-winners in the shortest formats and bring a wealth of experience and power that will be crucial at Lord's. We're building a squad designed to dominate from ball one."
A Power-Packed Men's Squad Revamp
The acquisition of Liam Livingstone is arguably the headline move. The hard-hitting batter, renowned for his ability to clear any boundary in the world, adds a new dimension to the Spirit's middle order. His versatile off-spin and leg-spin bowling also provide crucial flexibility. He joins from Birmingham Phoenix, where he was a fan favourite and one of the competition's most feared players.
Jamie Overton brings raw pace and explosive lower-order batting, forming a potentially devastating partnership with the retained Mark Wood. Overton, who recently earned his England Test cap, has been a standout for Manchester Originals and Surrey in the Vitality Blast, where his ability to bowl at over 90mph and strike huge sixes makes him a quintessential modern T20 asset.
The other new faces in the men's set-up include Australian powerhouse all-rounder Ashton Agar, providing world-class left-arm spin, and young English wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, whose elegant stroke-play and rapid development for Surrey and England A marked him as a key target.
The Spirit men's squad retentions and new signings now create a formidable core:
- Retained: Zak Crawley, Nathan Ellis, Dan Lawrence, Mark Wood.
- New Signings: Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ashton Agar, Jamie Smith.
Bolstering the Women's Title Challenge
On the women's side, the signing of Charlie Dean is a masterstroke. The England off-spinner is one of the most economical and prolific wicket-takers in the domestic game. Her clever variations and ability to contribute handy runs down the order will significantly strengthen a Spirit side that narrowly missed the eliminator in 2024.
Dean is joined by two other exciting English talents: dynamic top-order batter Sophia Dunkley, who brings international experience and a powerful striking game, and young fast-bowling sensation Mahika Gaur. The left-arm seamer, standing at 6ft 2in, has already made her mark for England and is seen as a future star of the game.
Head Coach for the women's team, Trevor Griffin, was effusive about his new recruits: "Charlie is a banker in any T20 side, her control is exceptional. Sophia gives us that X-factor at the top, and Mahika offers a unique point of difference with her left-arm angle and bounce. We've added quality and depth in key areas."
The refreshed women's squad, blending retained stars with new firepower, now looks exceptionally balanced:
- Retained: Heather Knight (captain), Grace Harris, Sophie Munro, Tara Norris.
- New Signings: Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Mahika Gaur.
Strategic Shifts and Released Players
This aggressive recruitment drive necessitated some tough decisions. Notable men's players released include former captain Dan Worrall, the experienced Ravi Bopara, and young batter Matthew Wade. On the women's side, the departure of New Zealand's Amelia Kerr – a major retention last year – is surprising, but underscores the strategic shift towards building a core of England-qualified players alongside key overseas stars like Grace Harris.
The signings reflect a clear philosophy from the Spirit management: to build teams capable of playing aggressive, front-foot cricket. The men's side has added sheer power and pace, while the women's team has bolstered its bowling arsenal with world-class spin and a unique fast-bowling threat.
Looking Ahead to The Hundred 2026
With these moves, London Spirit have positioned themselves as one of the teams to watch in 2026. The integration of established England stars like Livingstone and Dean with retained talents such as Zak Crawley and Heather Knight creates a compelling blend of experience and explosive potential.
The Hundred's unique draft and retention system forces teams to make bold choices, and the Spirit have certainly done that. As one club insider noted: "We felt we needed a sharper identity and a squad built to exploit the conditions at Lord's. These signings give us that."
While the final squads will be completed by the draft later in 2025, the core is now firmly in place. For fans at Lord's and the Oval, the prospect of seeing Liam Livingstone launch sixes into the Grand Stand, Jamie Overton steaming in, and Charlie Dean bamboozling batters has significantly raised expectations. The message from the London Spirit is clear: after seasons of mid-table finishes, they are building a squad designed to compete for the title.