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England’s franchise-based cricket tournament, The Hundred is transitioning into a new era of private ownership. Recently, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that all eight franchises will move to partial private investment. Lord’s-based team in the tournament, London Spirit’s ownership is also now split, with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the historic custodians of Lord’s and cricket’s laws, retaining a 51% stake, while the Tech Titans, a US-based tech investment group, hold the remaining 49%. The team has taken a significant decision, marking its first major move since the ECB’s go ahead on the equity sale agreements.
London Spirit have announced the appointment of Mo Bobat as its new Director of Cricket, the move, heralded as a significant step for the franchise, coincides with a new ownership structure and a reaffirmation of the team’s identity, as it retains the original name. Bobat is the current Director of Cricket at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). “I’m looking forward to building something special, on and off the field,” said Bobat in his statement while expressing honour to be a part of London Spirit. He also said that it’s an honour for him to join London Spirit. Chairman of the team Julian Metherell echoed this sentiment, praising Bobat’s “unmatched expertise and vision.”
Mo Bobat was also part of ODI World Cup 2019-winning England team
As a former England Men’s Performance Director, Mo Bobat played a pivotal role in shaping England’s white-ball success, including their first ODI World Cup triumph in 2019. Since early 2024, he has served as RCB’s Director of Cricket, guiding the franchise to their maiden IPL title earlier this year. Reports claim that Bobat will continue in his role with RCB, demonstrating in him managing high-profile positions across multiple T20 leagues. It is also being said that a refreshed team branding, potentially incorporating MCC’s iconic egg-and-bacon colours, is expected to be unveiled ahead of the 2026 season.
Bobat’s arrival comes at a critical juncture for London Spirit. The men’s team, coached by Justin Langer, has had a mixed start to The Hundred's 2025 season, suffering a heavy defeat in their opener against Oval Invincibles, where they were bowled out for just 80 in front of their new owners. However, they bounced back with a victory over Welsh Fire at the weekend, showing resilience under pressure. The women’s team, meanwhile, celebrated a title win in 2024, but has struggled to maintain consistency in previous seasons.
