Playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, James Coles amassed 152 runs at 170.78 and took five wickets with left-arm spin. (SA 20) NEW DELHI: Dinesh Karthik, London Spirit men’s batting coach for the 2026 season of The Hundred, has described uncapped England all-rounder James Coles as having “rare” skill sets, which is why he attracted so much interest during the auction.The 21-year-old was snapped up by London Spirit for a whopping £390,000 after a fierce bidding war between five franchises.
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“First with the bat, I think he’s able to hit anywhere between 4, 5 and 6 for the first time. He’s been very good at 3 at times, so we’ve definitely looked at that aspect. He’s a lefty with a weapon, someone involved in the power play and someone who’s shown incredible skills with the ball. The fact that there aren’t too many skill sets like that,” Karth was tempted to go for him.Coles was part of England’s squad for the 2022 Under-19 World Cup and was recently named in the England Lions squad for the tour of Australia in January 2025. He made his county debut as a 16-year-old at Sussex County Cricket Club, becoming the club’s youngest ever debutant in 2020.
He was someone who had a big upward curve. You could see going into the auction that he would be one of the most sought after players.
Dinesh Karthik on James
In last season’s county championship, he scored 1,032 runs, including four sets, at an average of 47 and took 20 wickets, while also proving a safe pair of hands with 19 catches, mostly at second slip, a position in which he excelled.Coles’ record in the T20 Blast last season was equally impressive. He scored 397 runs at an average of 33 and took 10 wickets at an economy rate of just over nine.
James Coles of Sussex celebrates with Jack Carson after conceding h10on Day 2 of the Rothesay County Championship Division 1 match between Sussex and Hampshire at The 1st Central County Ground on September 09, 2025 in Hove, England. (Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
But it was in SA20 where the talented youngster caught everyone’s attention. While playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, he amassed 152 runs at a strike rate of 170.78 and picked up five wickets with left-arm spin.“Initially we were dry until the end. I don’t think there was too much to say but he was someone who had a great rise curve. You could tell he was going to be one of the most sought-after players in the auction,” Karthik said.“Mo (Mo Bobat, Spirit director of cricket) and I worked with him with the England Lions and I really enjoyed working with him as a player.
James Coles of the Southern Brave bats during The Hundred match between the Southern Brave Men and the Welsh Fire Men at the Utilita Bowl on August 28, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“We’ve been watching him for a while. He’s always been part of our plan and the fact that he’s done so well in the recent past shows why teams really want him. We’ve been very keen on him and we’re very happy to get him,” he said.Coles is the fourth most expensive player to be recruited by Hundred sides this year. England’s Jofra Archer (£400,000), Phil Salt (£450,000) and Harry Brook (£465,000) were signed by Southern Brave, Welsh Fire and Sunrisers Leeds respectively ahead of the auction.Asked if the high price tag would put pressure on the youngster, Karthik said, “To begin with, we know his personality and knowing him quite intimately from the time we’ve worked with him, we support his skills.
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“We also support the person he is. He’s a very sorted kid, someone who doesn’t get too carried away or too frustrated. Yes, it’s a high price, but at some point in life, when you’re doing well, you have to deal with it.“I think he’s at a stage where he’s ready to deal with it because he seems to be someone who has shown a lot of growth in the recent past. The way he talks, the way he’s played in the franchise leagues and the way we’ve watched him over time suggests that his chart is only going to go up. He’s certainly a future prospect for England, if not immediately, then in the near term it’s a pretty good success for us.”
