New Delhi: Dinesh KarthikThe mentor and batting coach of the London Spirit men’s team for the 2026 season of The Hundred described uncapped England all-rounder James Coles as possessing a “rare” skillset, which is why he attracted so much interest during the auction.The 21-year-old was snapped up by London Spirit for £390,000 after a fierce bidding war between five franchises.
“Batting first, I think he’s capable of batting 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 left-handed gunner, someone who’s into the powerplay and someone who’s shown incredible skill with the ball,” Karthik said after the auction.Coles was part of the England 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 at the age of 16 at Sussex County Cricket Club, where he became the club’s youngest ever debutant in 2020.
He has been someone who has had a huge upward curve. You can see going into the auction that he will be one of the most sought after players.
Dinesh Karthik on James
Last season in the County Championship, he scored 1,032 runs at an average of 47 including four centuries and took 20 wickets, as well as being a safe pair with 19 catches, most of them at second slip, in which he took the best position.Coles’ record in last season’s T20 Blast was equally impressive. He scored 397 runs at an average of 33 and took 10 wickets at an economy rate of just nine.
James Coles of Sussex celebrates with Jack Carson after getting out 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 by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
But it was in SA20 where the talented youngster caught everyone’s attention. Playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, he scored 152 runs at a strike rate of 170.78 and took five wickets with left-arm spin.“We were drying up at the end there for a start. I don’t think there was much to say, but he’s been a guy who’s had a great upward trajectory. You can see going into the auction that he will be one of the most sought-after players,” said Karthik.“Mo [Mo Bobat, Spirit director of cricket] And I have worked with him at England Lions and I enjoyed working with him as a player.
Southern Brew’s James Coles bats during The Hundred match between Southern Brewmen and Welsh Firemen at the Utilta Bowl on August 28, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
We have had our eyes on it for some time, he said. He has always been a part of our plan and the way he has done so well in the recent past shows why teams want him.Coles is the fourth most expensive player recruited by the Hundred Sides this year. England’s Jofra Archer (£400,000), Phil Salt (£450,000) and Harry Brook (£465,000) were signed by Southern Brew, Welsh Fire and Sunrisers Leeds respectively ahead of the auction.When asked if the hefty price tag will put pressure on the youngster, Karthik replied: “For starters, we know his personality and since we know him quite intimately during the time we’ve worked with him, we support his talent.
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“We also support the person he is, he’s a very organized kid, someone who doesn’t get too upset or frustrated. Yes, it costs a lot, but at some point in life when you do 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 developed a lot in the recent past. The way he speaks, the way he’s played in the franchise leagues and the way we’ve seen him over a period of time suggests that his graph is only going to go up. He’s definitely a future prospect for England.“
