Manchester Originals Women’s Team 2025 Players List: History, Records and Achievements

Manchester Originals Women’s History

The Manchester Originals Women’s side, representing Lancashire County Cricket Club and based out of the iconic Emirates Old Trafford, have had a rocky journey since the inception of The Hundred in 2021. Despite the passion and pedigree associated with the region, the Originals have struggled to establish themselves as a major force in the women’s competition. As the only team to have never reached the playoffs in the first four seasons, their story so far has been one of potential yet to be realised.

Founded as part of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) initiative to modernise and energise cricket through the innovative 100-ball format, Manchester Originals entered the tournament with a promising squad and high expectations. However, inconsistency and underwhelming performances have plagued them year after year.

The team kicked off their journey in the inaugural 2021 season under the captaincy of England’s Kate Cross. Despite moments of brilliance and a spirited campaign, they finished 5th in the standings, narrowly missing out on a spot in the playoffs. That early glimpse of competitiveness gave fans hope, but things started to spiral in the following seasons.

In 2022, Kate Cross continued to lead the side but the team’s performance dipped. The Originals finished 6th, showing flashes of improvement but lacking the cohesion and match-winning mentality needed to push for the top three. Their struggle to find consistency in both batting and bowling became a recurring issue.

The 2023 season marked a shift in leadership, as England spinner Sophie Ecclestone was handed the reins. However, the change did not yield immediate results. The Originals slumped to their worst finish yet, ending the season in 7th place. The team found it difficult to close out tight games and suffered from a lack of dependable middle-order contributions.

Hoping to bounce back in 2024, the Originals retained Ecclestone as captain and brought in Michael Klinger as head coach. While performances were marginally better, the team once again faltered under pressure, finishing 6th. There were encouraging signs from a few young talents, but the squad still lacked the killer instinct to convert opportunities into victories.

Now, heading into the 2025 season, the pressure is well and truly on. With Sophie Ecclestone continuing as captain and Klinger still at the helm, the franchise is banking on stability to bring about transformation. A playoff spot remains elusive, but with a new wave of young players and a renewed hunger to prove themselves, the Originals will hope that the fifth time’s the charm.

One thing is certain — the Manchester Originals Women’s team carries the hopes of a passionate cricketing region, and their fans are desperate to see them finally rise to the occasion in 2025.

Manchester Originals Women’s Journey in The Hundred (Season-by-Season)

Manchester Originals Women’s Captains and Vice-Captains Over the Years

Since the beginning of The Hundred in 2021, Manchester Originals Women’s team have been searching for consistency — both in terms of results and leadership. While the franchise represents the rich cricketing legacy of Lancashire and plays out of the historic Emirates Old Trafford, their Hundred journey so far has been marked by underachievement and transition. One of the key aspects of this journey has been the revolving door of leadership, with changes at the top reflecting the franchise’s attempts to turn around their fortunes.

Over the years, the Originals have had two primary captains and multiple vice-captains, with the leadership group often reshuffled in search of the right formula. England international Kate Cross was the inaugural leader of the side and held the reins for the first two seasons. In 2023, the baton was passed to fellow England star Sophie Ecclestone, signalling a new phase for the Originals. However, despite the leadership change, playoff qualification has continued to elude the side.

Let’s take a deeper look at Manchester Originals Women’s captain and vice-captain combinations over the years:

Kate Cross (2021–2022)

Kate Cross was the first-ever captain of Manchester Originals Women and a natural choice for the role. A seasoned England international and a senior figure in Lancashire cricket, Cross brought experience and tactical understanding to the side. Under her leadership, the team had a competitive debut season in 2021, finishing just outside the top three.

However, despite the initial promise, the Originals failed to build on that momentum in 2022. A combination of inconsistent performances and an unsettled batting line-up led to another underwhelming finish. While Cross remained a key performer with the ball, the team’s overall trajectory prompted the management to look for a fresh approach — and a new captain.

Sophie Ecclestone (2023–Present)

Sophie Ecclestone, the world’s leading left-arm spinner, took over the captaincy in 2023 at the age of just 24. The decision to appoint her marked a clear shift towards a younger leadership group and was seen as an investment in long-term stability. Ecclestone, known for her cool-headedness and elite bowling, was expected to instill confidence and control in a side struggling to find its rhythm.

Her first season at the helm in 2023 didn’t go according to plan. The Originals finished 7th, their lowest standing to date. However, in 2024, with South African batter Laura Wolvaardt as her deputy, there were signs of slow progress as the team moved up one place to 6th. The management has shown faith in the Ecclestone-Wolvaardt pairing and retained them for the 2025 season.

Manchester Originals Women’s Squad 2025

Manchester Originals The Hundred Women’s 2025 Fixtures and Schedule 

Manchester Originals Women’s Administration and Support Staff 2025

Manchester Originals Women’s Achievements and Records

Since the inception of The Hundred in 2021, the Manchester Originals Women’s team have found themselves in a continuous battle to make their mark in the competition. Representing Lancashire and playing their home matches at Emirates Old Trafford, the Originals have had a challenging journey in the first four editions of the tournament. Despite being the only team in the women’s competition yet to make a playoff appearance, the team has seen flashes of brilliance from its players and moments that hint at its untapped potential.

The franchise, led initially by Kate Cross and later by Sophie Ecclestone, has struggled to find consistency across seasons, often ending in the lower half of the table. But even amidst the disappointments, the team has built a strong foundation of leadership, nurtured promising young talent, and developed a core group of players with international pedigree.

Here’s a closer look at Manchester Originals Women’s key achievements and records as of July 2025:

Manchester Originals Women’s Team Records (As of July 2025)

This table highlights the key team milestones of Manchester Originals Women in The Hundred up to July 2025. Despite not having any playoff appearances or titles, their highest team total of 160/3 against Northern Superchargers in 2022 shows their batting capabilities. The team’s best league finish was 5th in the inaugural season (2021), and they managed a maximum of three wins in a season twice (2021 and 2024). Their lowest point came with a total of 85 all out against Oval Invincibles in 2023.

Manchester Originals Women’s Individual Records (As of July 2025)

This table captures standout individual performances for the Manchester Originals Women. Lizelle Lee leads in most runs (384) and most fours (57), while Sophie Ecclestone tops the charts for most wickets (25), most sixes (13), and most catches (6), showcasing her all-round value. Beth Mooney’s 99* in 2024 stands as the highest individual score, and Fi Morris holds the best bowling figures with a stunning 5/7 in 2023. Despite strong individual displays, no player has scored a century yet.

Manchester Originals Women’s Key Rivalries

While the Manchester Originals Women’s side are still searching for their first playoff appearance in The Hundred, that hasn’t stopped them from developing some thrilling and fiercely-contested rivalries. From fiery northern derbies to clashes against powerhouse sides, the Originals have found themselves in the middle of some gripping battles since the tournament’s inception in 2021. As the Originals continue their journey, these rivalries not only add spice to the calendar but also reflect the team’s evolution and growing hunger for success.

Here’s a closer look at Manchester Originals Women’s most defining rivalries in The Hundred so far:

Manchester Originals vs Northern Superchargers

The Northern Derby. A fierce regional rivalry has been brewing between the Manchester Originals and the Leeds-based Northern Superchargers. With both franchises representing proud Northern counties and playing at iconic venues like Old Trafford and Headingley, the intensity is undeniable whenever these two sides meet.

In the first six encounters, both teams have shared the spoils equally, with three wins apiece. The Superchargers' first win in the rivalry came in 2022, while Manchester Originals have often relied on strong top-order batting to get the better of the Yorkshire side. With both franchises possessing strong domestic cores, this classic north vs north-west battle continues to be one of the fiercest and most watched contests in the competition.

Manchester Originals vs Oval Invincibles

A rivalry forged in frustration. While Oval Invincibles have enjoyed success in The Hundred, including multiple titles, Manchester Originals Women have often been on the receiving end in their encounters. The Originals’ lowest ever team total of 85 all out came against the Invincibles in 2023 — a match that summed up the lopsided nature of this rivalry so far.

While the Invincibles have dominated all four fixtures, the rivalry continues to carry weight given the Originals’ burning desire to overcome one of the competition’s most successful sides. With players like Sophie Ecclestone and Laura Wolvaardt at the helm, the Originals will be eyeing redemption the next time these two meet.

Manchester Originals vs Birmingham Phoenix

This emerging rivalry is one built on dramatic individual performances and tightly-fought games. Both sides have had inconsistent campaigns but remain highly competitive when facing each other. One of Manchester’s most iconic moments came in this fixture when Fi Morris registered the team’s best bowling figures — 5/7 in 2023.

In four matches till now Manchester Originals have won two while Birmingham Phoenix have won only one with one fixture ending up as No Result. Tthis is one of the most evenly matched rivalries the Originals have. It has also become one of the most entertaining, with explosive batting and tight finishes marking each contest. Expect this one to grow in stature as both teams chase playoff berths.

Manchester Originals vs Trent Rockets

Another rivalry full of promise is the one between Manchester Originals and Trent Rockets. Their match-ups have featured some standout performances, including a brilliant 99* by Beth Mooney for Manchester in 2024 — the highest individual score for the team to date.

The encounters between Manchester Originals and Trent Rockets have been nothing short of thrilling and there is nothing to split the two sides as in four matches till now both teams have won two each. 

Manchester Originals Women’s Team Owners and Sponsorships

The Manchester Originals Women’s team has witnessed a remarkable shift off the field in 2025, as The Hundred embraced a new era of private ownership and global partnerships. With a strong legacy of being managed by Lancashire County Cricket Club and backed by the ECB in the first four years of the tournament, the Originals have now entered a bold new phase of franchise cricket. A landmark private investment deal, an ambitious rebrand on the horizon, and an expanding sponsorship ecosystem have combined to reshape the team’s identity—and its future.

Owners: Lancashire CCC and RPSG Group

In the first four seasons of The Hundred (2021–2024), Manchester Originals Women were owned and operated solely by Lancashire County Cricket Club, in conjunction with the ECB. As one of the most prominent counties in English cricket, Lancashire provided the Originals with the infrastructure, fanbase, and regional cricketing heritage needed to establish the team. Emirates Old Trafford, the team’s home, was central to building this brand.

Lancashire invested early in grassroots and women’s cricket in the region, and their strategic efforts—such as pre-season tours to India and marquee signings—helped elevate the Originals’ reputation in the women’s game, even though on-field success remained elusive.

But 2025 brought with it a game-changing shift in how The Hundred is governed. In a historic move, the ECB invited private investors to acquire stakes in the eight teams, aiming to bring long-term financial sustainability and open the door for global cricket conglomerates. Lancashire CCC, facing bank debt and keen to strengthen their balance sheet, seized this opportunity.

In July 2025, Lancashire confirmed the sale of a 70% stake in the Manchester Originals franchise to the RPSG Group, valuing the team at £116 million. The Indian conglomerate, led by industrialist Sanjiv Goenka, is no stranger to cricket, owning the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and having previously shown interest in other Hundred franchises.

This transaction marks one of the most significant ownership transformations in the competition’s short history. For RPSG, this acquisition fits into a wider strategy of building a global cricketing footprint. For Lancashire, it is a strategic partnership—allowing them to retain 30% of the franchise while benefiting from RPSG’s commercial muscle and sports management experience.

Looking ahead, from the 2026 season onward, Manchester Originals will be rebranded as the "Manchester Super Giants", aligning with RPSG’s growing Super Giants portfolio across global cricket. It signals a move towards the IPL-style model, where a unified franchise identity exists across different leagues and geographies.

Manchester Originals Sponsors

Title Sponsor: McCoy’s

Since the inaugural season of The Hundred in 2021, McCoy’s has been the official Title Partner and Main Sponsor of Manchester Originals. As a flagship brand under KP Snacks, The Hundred’s central commercial partner, McCoy’s has featured prominently on team jerseys, stadium branding, and promotional campaigns. 

With the RPSG group coming in the Manchester Originals will be looking to rewrite their fortunes and emerge as perennial contenders from the 2025 season onwards.