With this year’s Hundred season just a few months away and the excitement starting to build once again, fans are familiarising themselves with the talent and following the 2025 Draft, Manchester Originals supporters now know who their picks are.
The local side based out of the Emirates Old Trafford, home of Lancashire County Cricket Club, has been steadily building a stronger squad year after year. With a total of seven new players added to the roster across the men’s and women’s teams, they’re looking more competitive than ever.
With The Hundred‘s official draft taking place this past Wednesday, 12 March, Manchester Originals managed to tie down four female players and five men, including some seriously sought-after names.
First off, former Aussie batsman and men’s head coach Simon Katich chose mystery spinner, Noor Ahmad as the first male pick, before securing New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who was recently named ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the 2025 Champions Trophy with 263 runs.
As for the other 2025 draft picks, Lewis Gregory, Ben McKinney and George Garton complete this year’s Manchester Originals squad to round off a strong domestic core.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now, onto the women: new head coach Michael Klinger pulled off a real coup by bringing back hard-hitting all-rounder Deandra Dottin as the first pick – a real statement signing for the Originals.
Similarly, Seren Smale and Ella McCaughan will be making their debuts for Manchester club and, better still, fellow all-rounder Alice Monaghan is also returning after an impressive first season last year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dottin said of her return: “I’m so excited to be back at Manchester Originals. I loved playing for them in 2023 and The Hundred is a great tournament to be involved in. Our squad is looking so strong with Beth Mooney and Sophie Ecclestone so I think we’ve got a great opportunity to make a statement this summer.”
New addition and former Hundred-winner with Trent Rockets (2022), Gregory, also had only positive things to say about his arrival: “I’ve had some good memories of playing against the Originals in the past so looking forward to joining them this season.
“With Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Rachin Ravindra, we’ve got some of the best players in the world and I’m looking forward to playing alongside them. Old Trafford will be a new home ground for me but I’m sure it’ll be bouncing during the whole of August with the people of Manchester behind the team.”
This year’s Hundred fixtures dropped back in January and Manchester Originals get their campaign underway with a double-header at home on Wednesday, 6 August against Southern Brave, before heading to the capital to face men’s champions, Oval Invincibles, just three days later.
With London Spirit’s women’s team lifting their first trophy in 2024, each opponent looks to be getting stronger year after year, which only makes things more difficult for us fans in 0161 but all the better for the neutral and the overall spectacle.
As for tickets, there is still a priority window for fans who sign up in advance, with best-value tickets available between 1-15 April before general sale admission goes live on 17 April, where prices are still set at £5 for juniors aged 3-15 (free for under 3s) and adults starting from £14.
Paul Scholes blasts Ruben Amorim for ‘bull****’ response to Kobbie Mainoo question
Danny Jones
Club legend Paul Scholes has called out Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim for what he dubbed a “bull****” reaction to a question from a journalist regarding Kobbie Mainoo on Thursday.
The Portuguese coach saw his Premier League win rate clock in at just under 44% (the lowest of any Man United manager for, let’s just say, some time) after the 1-1 home draw against West Ham.
Conceding a late goal against the Irons, who are currently sat in the relegation zone, the Red Devils ultimately dropped another two points against a side that they should be beating, both based on present form and if they have any hopes of competing for the top spots.
Unsurprisingly, Amorim was pressed on why he didn’t make a more offensive substitution to try and claw back the victory, to which he then asked what looked to be a somewhat loaded question and gave this reaction after the response:
The laughter, in particular, hasn’t gone down well with everyone, especially the Class of ’92 graduate and retired midfielder.
Jumping on social media after the quotes from the Amorim press conference were out, Scholes posted on his Instagram story: Bull****. This kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football.”
He went on to add: “Hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it’s probably best for him now – enough is enough.”
First off, Reds – do you agree?
It isn’t the first time Scholes has levelled criticism at Amorim, his tactics, management and overall coaching style, having said this of their previous appointment at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes on Ruben Amorim's tactics against 10-man Everton which frustrated him 😬 pic.twitter.com/AgsESuH83h
Safe to say he isn’t his biggest supporter at the moment.
Fellow former teammate and England international turned pundit, Gary Neville, was also left not just confused but frustrated by the performance, telling Sky Sports in his post-match interview that he noted the camera picking up “real dejection” on the faces of the fans after the full-time whistle.
With an away trip against Wolves, a home match against Bournemouth, as well as travelling to face high-flying European place competitors, Aston Villa, before hosting Newcastle on Boxing Day, it’s anyone’s guess as to how the results will pan out.
You can see the highlights from Man United vs West Ham down below.
How many points do you see them picking up over the next four fixtures?
BBC releases first look of new drama series based on inspirational journey of England men’s football team
Emily Sergeant
First look images of a new BBC drama series based on award-winning play Dear England have been released.
The four-part series based on James Graham’s Olivier-award winning play of the same name tells the story of Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team journey to renewed success, and it’s set to air on BBC One and iPlayer next year.
Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews.
The stage play premiered at the National Theatre to five-star reviews, winning an Olivier award for ‘Best New Play’, and enjoying a sell-out run in 2023 before it returned to the National Theatre earlier this year and then embarked on a national tour.
The first look images of new BBC series Dear England have been released / Credit: BBC
With the worst team track record for penalties in the world when he takes over as manager, Gareth knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land.
The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
Joseph Fiennes will reprise his Olivier award-nominated role as Gareth Southgate in the new series.
Joseph Fiennes will star as former manager Gareth Southgate / Credit: BBC
The first look pictures see Fiennes in his role for the first time in scenes depicting England’s triumphant Euro 2024 Semi-Final celebrations, where the men’s team reached their first final of a major tournament on foreign soil.
Fiennes is joined by Jodie Whittaker as England men’s team psychologist Pippa Grange, and Daniel Ryan as Steve Holland the former assistant manager, whilst Will Antenbring stars as Harry Kane, joined by an ensemble cast of upcoming actors as the rest of the team.
Among the squad cast is Adam Hugill, Josh Barrow, and screen newcomer Lewis Shepherd, who are all reprising their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford, and Dele Alli.
Danny Jones -
14th March 2025 
