The fixtures for The Hundred 2025 have officially been revealed and we now have confirmation as to when we can expect to see our Manchester Originalsgetting underway.
One of the fastest-growing competitions not only in cricket but sport, in general, this is just the fifth year of The Hundred but it’s promising to be the biggest and most ambitious yet.
Moving back to its traditional summer slot – set to take place throughout the month of August – well over half a million fans are expected to enjoy the action up and down the country.
You can find the full list of Manchester Originals‘ fixtures for this year’s Hundred schedule here:
Getting underway against the 2023 women’s champions Southern Brave on Wednesday, 6 August at home, their second round of matches will come against the victors of last year’s men’s tournament, Oval Invincibles, the following weekend (Sat, 9 August).
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The Originals will then return to their home ground at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground to take on the reigning female champs, London Spirit, so it’s safe to say they’ve got quite the challenging start.
The women’s team will be led by new Head Coach Michael Klinger who brings a wealth of experience and an impressive record in franchise cricket around the world, while the lads will see fellow Aussie Simon Katich stay in post for a fourth season.
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With the latter leading his side to consecutive finals in 2022 and ’23, he’ll be hoping he can go one further and finally win Manchester Originals’ first title.
This season direct signings have been permitted in The Hundred for the first time ever, meaning teams can sign one new overseas player by deadline day on 24 February; the women’s team became the first squad to exercise this perk, picking up the 2024 ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, Amelia Kerr.
As one of the best all-rounders in the world and having just won the T20 World Cup, getting the New Zealand leg-spinner is a huge coup for Manchester.
England Captain Jos Buttler also returns for The Hundred this year, telling Lancashire Cricket Club: “I was gutted to miss last year’s Hundred campaign, so I’m really excited at the prospect of joining up with Manchester Originals again this summer.”
2024 alone saw a global women’s cricket attendance record shattered and with the double-header fixtures set to return, more history beckons for the tournament.
If you’ve never been along to The Hundred before, game days feature plenty of pre-match pageantry and fanfare before the women’s teams get the toss first.
Although there’s music, food and drink to be enjoyed throughout the day, one of the best parts about a day at The Hundred is the entertainment, with other games, activities, competitions and live performances before, during and after the break.
It’s going to be a great year for the Originals, we can feel it – you can grab your tickets on pre-sale/via general admission when they go live HERE.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/The Hundred (supplied)
Sport
Manchester United’s statement in full as Michael Carrick is sacked as manager
Emily Sergeant
Manchester United has now released a formal statement following the news that Michael Carrick has been sacked with immediate effect.
Carrick – who initially played for Manchester United as a midfielder between 2006 and 2018 – was first appointed as a caretaker manager in 2021, before he went on to become the interim manager and then men’s first team head coach earlier this year.
Unfortunately though, United have struggled to find form this season – with the team winning only three of their first 15 games across all competitions.
The club’s statement reads in full: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.
“Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.
“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.
“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.
“The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”
Featured Image – Sky Sports (via YouTube – screenshot)
Sport
‘We couldn’t see f**k all’ – Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled
Daisy Jackson
Altrincham FC’s FA Cup clash with Notts County descended into extraordinary scenes on Saturday night as thick fog engulfed the stadium, leaving supporters struggling to see the players and even broadcasters questioning what was happening.
The bizarre first-round encounter at the J Davidson Stadium saw visibility deteriorate so badly that fans resorted to holding their mobile phone torches aloft in an attempt to follow the action.
What should have been a memorable FA Cup occasion turned into something resembling a scene from a horror film, with the players increasingly disappearing into the mist.
Altrincham Today captured the surreal atmosphere, posting: “Extraordinary scenes here at the J Davidson Stadium. Visibility down to a few yards. No-one has any idea what is going on. Supporters holding mobile torches aloft, like it’s an Elton John concert. It is still 2-2, we think.”
Even television coverage struggled to make sense of the conditions.
Broadcaster Jason Mohammad joked: “Bear with us at the end of the game. We’ve not seen much of extra time where we are. We don’t have the foggiest what’s going on down the away end. Fair play – cracking game and atmosphere!”
One social media user summed up the extraordinary conditions simply, writing: “Altrincham v Notts County is currently being played in a cloud.”
Others were equally bewildered, with one supporter asking: “Spot the ball anyone? #FACup @altrinchamfc on the verge of another league scalp – although who knows what’s going on?!”
Another fan was less than impressed, posting: “Shame we couldn’t see f**k all for most of it”.
Even the stadium’s advertising boards were struggling to make an impression. James Timpson joked: “It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County!”
It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County! https://t.co/trW9imo7Xu
The unusual conditions also prompted questions over whether the match should have continued.
One Notts County supporter reflected after the game: “Unlucky guys you gave us a great game and the conditions didn’t help still say it should have been abandoned even though we scraped through!!!! Good luck for the rest of the season lads”.
And it was certainly a dramatic contest before the fog took centre stage.
Notts County initially took the lead through Jacob Bedeau in the 28th minute, but Altrincham responded through Lucas Weaver just before half-time.
Lewis Banks then put the hosts ahead in the 59th minute, raising hopes of another famous FA Cup upset against higher-league opposition.
@altrinchamfc If you say so https://t.co/6ub5YiIogD
However, Callum Roberts equalised for County in the 84th minute, sending the tie into extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to penalties, where Notts County eventually prevailed 3-2 to book their place in the second round.
While the result was heartbreaking for Altrincham, the extraordinary conditions ensured the match would be remembered for more than just the football.
For supporters at the J Davidson Stadium, it was certainly one FA Cup tie where seeing wasn’t necessarily believing.
Danny Jones -
30th January 2025 
