Sport

Manchester Originals fixtures confirmed for The Hundred 2025

100 balls. Eight teams. 27 days of fast-paced cricket.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 30th January 2025

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 Originals getting 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).

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.

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.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/The Hundred (supplied)

Sport

Wigan Athletic make statement signing after grabbing Wrexham’s Paul Mullin on loan

Danny Jones Danny Jones Paul Mullin joins Wigan Athletic on loan

Wigan Athletic have pulled over a big transfer in the summer window, albeit only temporarily for now, as they have managed to acquire the services of Wrexham AFC striker Paul Mullin on loan.

The Merseyside-born marksman, who has been instrumental in helping lift Wrexham from the depths of the National League and into the Championship (the first time they’ve been back in the second division since 1977/78), joins the Latics on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Mullin may be gradually entering the latter end of his career, but he has proved time and again that he can score, managing to chip in with a respectable half dozen goal contributions even amidst a lengthy period out following back surgery and a subsequent shin injury.

The 30-year-old is the third signing for Wigan so far in 2025, following the likes of incomings Fraser Murray, a left-sided Scottish midfielder from Kilmarnock, and fellow forward Christian Saydee from Portsmouth, but he’s no doubt the one who’s caught the most attention.

A regular hero in the well-documented and Hollywood-backed Welcome to Wrexham story, Paul Mullin has notched an unbelievable 110 goals in 172 games, boasting a combined goal contribution tally of 223 across multiple English clubs up and down the football pyramid in just over a decade as a professional.

Put simply, he scores goals wherever he goes.

Commenting on the move, Mullin said via club media: “I’m excited for the next part of my story. The Gaffer has outlined his plan for the season, and I’m hoping to take his trust into the season and make it a really successful one. As a player, I give absolutely everything and work as hard as I can. 

“I’ve scored a lot of goals over the last few years, but more than anything, I give my absolute all for the Club that I’m playing for, and I’m going to do that again with Wigan.”

Bidding a brief goodbye to his parent club, he responded to their announcement by adding: “All the best this season! Keep the train rolling.”

Although he’s no stranger to the North West – having been born in Litherland, Sefton and played for both Morecambe and Tranmere Rovers – Wigan Athletic is the first spell at a Greater Manchester club for Mullin. The move will also see him face familiar local foes like Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers.

It’s fair to say that, as well as finding the net pretty regularly throughout his career, he’s managed to pick up a number of accolades along the way, too, especially during his time with Wrexham.

Much-admired rising coach Ryan Lowe, who was snapped up by Wigan Athletic amidst the flurry of names linked last March, said in the official club statement: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to sign Paul. He’ll be a great addition to the group and is a player who is a proven goal scorer in the EFL. 

“He has won promotion in his last three seasons with Wrexham AFC and will add firepower, know-how and experience to the group, which is really important. He is here because he is hungry to score more goals, win games and contribute to Wigan Athletic Football Club.”

“Paul is the type of character we want in the dressing room, and his experience will help support the team on and off the pitch.”

Supporters of The Red Dragons might be sad to see him go, but you’ve got to be happy with this one, right, ‘Tics?

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Featured Images — Wigan Athletic

Sport

Rising Manc star Lusaint and more to serenade cricket crowds at The Hundred 2025

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lusaint performing live music at The Hundred in Manchester

The Hundred crowds inside Emirates Old Trafford are in for a real treat as rising Manchester star, Lusaint, is set to join the lineup of live music acts playing the 2025 tournament.

We’re so excited about this up-and-coming local singer and the rest of the live music lineup on show at this year’s competition.

Ahead of the fast-paced, family-friendly format returning to Emirates Old Trafford this August, the bands and musicians offering yet more entertainment on matchdays have now been announced, along with details of more activities for all ages.

The Hundred Final at Lord’s in London will be headlined by solo singer, Perrie (a.k.a. Perrie Edwards, formerly of Little Mix), and the Manchester games are boasting some great names too.

In addition to Perrie, other big names signed up for 2025 are the likes of York four-piece Glass Caves, Bristol experimental live-looper, Bexx, as well as the best of soul and R’n’B in Brighton, Iyamah.

But we can’t lie, naturally, it’s all about whose playing The Hundred fixtures at Old Trafford that we’re most fussed about.

Following past years where the competition has seen the likes of Zara Larsson, Rudimental, Bastille and Jax Jones; Raye, Becky Hill, Everything Everything and Self Esteem, they’ve managed to pique our interest yet again.

Really channelling the platforming power of the BBC Introducing partnered stages for the latest edition, Lusaint was the first name to catch our attention for obvious reasons.

She featured on our Manchester artists of the month list not too long ago, and if you haven’t given her music a try before, now’s the perfect time before seeing her in person at The Hundred – worth the ticket price on her own, if you ask us.

Better still, she’s not the only name we’re excited about seeing this summer, as joining the live music lineup in Manchester is native hip-hop, grime, soul and afrobeats musician, Prido, whose storytelling style has been making waves not just within the genre but across the city.

For instance, his last live set for BBC Introducing at Reading Festival 2024 saw plenty of attention online, and he’s definitely one to watch, even if you don’t manage to catch him at the cricket. Aimei 媚 and Lowes complete this year’s lineup and are set to take the stage throughout August.

Manchester Originals women’s player Sophie Ecclestone said: “The live music at The Hundred is one of my favourite things about playing in the competition. It brings an extra element to The Hundred which is different to other forms of cricket.”

With early bird tickets available from just £5 for under 16s and for £17 adults, it’s no surprise that 9,000 have already been sold for the Originals‘ derby against Northern Superchargers on Sunday, 17 August.

You can find out more information on what else is in store at The Hundred 2025 beyond the live music lineup and grab your tickets for Manchester HERE.

lusaint manchester
You can read our review of her recent show HERE.
Perrie
prido manchester
Prido
Just some of the names that make up The Hundred live music lineup for 2025. (Credit: Press shots/Audio North)

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/The Hundred (supplied)/Press Shot/Prido (via Facebook)

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