Trent Rockets have confirmed two of world cricket’s most exciting leaders as captains for the 2026 edition of The Hundred, with Sam Billings taking charge of the men’s team and Ash Gardner returning to lead the women’s side.
Fresh from captaining his side to three consecutive Hundred titles, Billings arrives at Trent Bridge with a winning mentality and a reputation as one of the sharpest leaders in world cricket.
The England wicketkeeper-batter has enjoyed success across the globe, collecting trophies in some of the game's biggest competitions and scoring more than 14,000 career runs along the way.
Sam Billings said: “I’m so looking forward to being with Trent Rockets this year at Trent Bridge. It’s iconic, one of the best grounds in the world, and it’s always been a great place to play.
“It’s a real honour to be leading out the team this year, and I’m hoping to do all the Rockets fans proud. Here’s to a great summer!”
Trent Rockets Men's Head Coach, Peter Moores, said: "I'm really excited about Sam being our captain. He's a proven winner, a brilliant competitor and someone who thrives under pressure. He'll bring great energy and experience to the group, and we can't wait to see him leading the Rockets this summer."
Meanwhile, Australian superstar Ash Gardner will continue as captain of the women's team after leading the Rockets in 2025.
One of the most dynamic all-rounders in world cricket, Gardner has built a reputation for delivering in the biggest moments, whether with bat, ball or in the field. Her leadership helped guide the Rockets to a fourth-place finish last season and she returns determined to take the team even further in 2026.
A multiple-time world champion with Australia, Gardner has claimed some of the sport's biggest prizes, including three T20 World Cup titles and Commonwealth Games gold.
Ash Gardner said: "I love being able to lead this team, and we’ve got some fantastic players this year, which is super exciting.
I can’t wait to get going, and I’m really excited to see all the fans out at Trent Bridge again this year.
Trent Rockets Women's Head Coach, Chris Read, said: "I was really impressed by Ash last year. She's one of the most respected players in world cricket and her experience, competitive spirit and leadership are hugely important for us. She's a fantastic person to have leading the group."
With Billings and Gardner at the controls, Trent Rockets fans can look forward to another summer of explosive cricket, world-class stars and edge-of-your-seat entertainment at Trent Bridge.
The countdown to launch is on.
Book tickets before 30 June to save up to £5 per ticket in the early bird window, and access under 16s tickets for £5. www.tickets.trentrockets.com
