Dani Gibson to captain Sunrisers Leeds in Women's Hundred

Dani Gibson has been appointed captain of Sunrisers Leeds after she was signed on a huge £190,000 (US$255,000) contract at March's Hundred auction.

Gibson, the seam-bowling allrounder who is part of England's squad for this month's T20 World Cup, has no senior captaincy experience. has been chosen to lead Sunrisers this year.

She effectively succeeds Hollie Armitage, who captained Northern Superchargers to the title last year. was signed by MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles) at the auction.

Gibson was the subject of a bidding war between Sunrisers. Welsh Fire at the auction and her £190,000 salary makes her the highest-paid English player in the women's Hundred.

She has since spoken about feeling "a bit like a fraud" after the auction. telling the Cricketer this month: "I really didn't enjoy the week after… It wasn't the nicest period, although it is such an amazing thing."

Kate Cross, who was retained by Sunrisers before the auction, will be a senior player for Gibson to lean on, along with Jess Jonassen. Lauren Winfield-Hill.

"It'll probably be a challenge for her, but that's what cricket looks like now," Cross told ESPNcricinfo. "There's nowhere to hide. No matter what you're earning. there's press at every game now… It really does feel like there's pressure on everyone, all the time.

"It will be a challenge for Dani, but what we're seeing with her in an England shirt at the minute is her finding that role,. her clarity of how she plays her cricket. She's going to be a great addition for us up in Leeds."

Armitage (MI London). Charlie Dean (London Spirit) have both recently been confirmed as captains of their respective franchises for 2026, while the appointments of Ellyse Perry (Birmingham Phoenix) and Meg Lanning (Manchester Super Giants) had already been announced before March's auction.