The Hundred has made a spectacular return to Emirates Old Trafford this summer, with fast-paced sporting action, live music, and amazing local street food.
Our very own Manchester Originals will be back on home turf on Wednesday 31 August, playing London’s Oval Invincibles.
Manchester Originals’ teams are packed with cricketing talent, with the women’s team led by Manchester-born pace bowler Kate Cross, and explosive batter Laurie Evans heading up the men’s team.
Ahead of the final fixture at Emirates Old Trafford, we had a chat with two of the incredible players to see exactly what makes The Hundred so special.
Laurie Evans is a batter known for piling on quick runs wherever he’s played, while all-rounder Ellie Threlkeld is a phenomenal keeper and former Wigan Athletic footballer.
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If you like the sound of The Hundred – and how could you not? – you can grab tickets to see Manchester Originals playing at the tournament here: thehundred.com/fixtures.
What sets The Hundred apart from other cricketing events?
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Manchester Originals will be at The Hundred at Emirates Old Trafford next week. Credit: Supplied (Nathan Stirk ECB via Getty Images)
Laurie: The Hundred amplifies everything that is great about cricket, it really does go that one step beyond. We’ve got the best top 100 English players coming together, with some of the best international cricketers, in the height of the British summer – it’s a blend of real sporting genius and loads of fun! The Hundred is also super accessible to a wide range of people, it’s always great to see families and people of all ages come out to watch some amazing cricket. There’s something in there for everyone.
Ellie: Something so unique and important about The Hundred is the fact that the men and women’s games are equal. There’s the same buzz regardless of which team is playing and it really engages a broader audience for that reason. It’s inspiring to be part of a world class tournament that champions both genders and I’d hope that anyone watching The Hundred can be inspired to give cricket a go! It really is an amazing sport and The Hundred brings all of that together, with such a community spirit behind it.
What were your highlights from last year?
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Ellie Threlkeld of Manchester Originals. Credit: Matt Lewis – ECB/ECB via Getty Images
L: Aside from the actual games, a major highlight for me last year was one evening on the train home another passenger recognised me in my kit and we got talking. He worked at a summer football camp and said usually all the kids talk about is premiership football but for once they couldn’t stop talking about cricket and The Hundred! That, for me, sums up exactly what The Hundred is all about – building that buzz, creating quality entertainment, and inspiring the next generation of cricketers along the way.
E: The first match of the inaugural tournament was at the Kia Oval and the atmosphere was electric – the excitement for this new cricket event, playing in one of the best grounds in the world alongside international stars was an unparalleled feeling. Just look at the crowd we brought in at the first game, for a stand-alone woman’s game it was just brilliant and has set the tone for what we’ve already seen this year with even bigger audiences.
E: Seeing new people engage with cricket! The Hundred offers something to its audience that is unique, it’s about fun, celebration, community, and togetherness all in one. Seeing the young kids getting excited is also so cool, me and a few of the team have been stopped around Manchester by some young fans recognising us.I truly think the tournament has the potential to go a long way in attracting new people to the sport, regardless of sex, age and background, which excites me. Oh – and me and the girls are very pleased to have DJ Roesh with us again at Emirates Old Trafford, he’s provided a great soundtrack to the tournaments, with a few requests from us along the way…
L: Some of the world’s best cricketers, hottest music acts and finest food vendors are coming together – it really is a must-see event that I’m honoured to be at the centre of. Seeing the fans enjoy themselves, hearing the cheers and just generally feeling the buzz around the city is fantastic.
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What are your favourite things about being part of Manchester Originals?
Laurie Evans of Manchester Originals. Credit: Photo by Alex Pantling – ECB/ECB via Getty Images
L: Manchester is, I think, easily one of the best cities in the UK with its rich history across music and sport. We’ve got a great mix of international quality and local talent in both our squads and have the opportunity to make history for the Manchester team. The atmosphere in Emirates Old Trafford is also unparalleled.
E: To me, being part of Manchester Originals is so amazing because I’m a local. I started playing for Lancashire when I was nine and it’s been such a huge part of my life, so being a key part of the Manchester team in The Hundred is really special. Playing with some of the best international talent, representing the area I grew up in is for sure my favourite thing about being part of the Manchester Originals team. And the women’s team is amazing! I’ve made great friends and I’m constantly learning from some of the best.
What does a typical day look like for you during a season?
E: During a season we usually train about three or four times a week, that includes everything from batting, fielding and wicket keeping. There are a few gym sessions and running sessions in there too! Diet wise, it’s all about fuelling and recovering – but not being too harsh on yourself of course, enjoyment is a key part of the process.
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L: At the minute it’s waking up and getting a message from half the team asking if my coffee machine is usually working – that’s usually about 7.30am and then it’s straight to training for between four and six hours. When it’s not a match day, we spend most of the day training, but I like to sneak a bit of golf in when I get the chance – that’s been one of the highlights of being based in Manchester to be honest, there’s some great golf courses around the city.
What do you love most about Manchester?
L: The Mancunian spirit is great, I’ve come across so many friendly people and there’s a general buzz around the place that you don’t get in other cities. Just look at the music line-up for some of The Hundred games – there’s loads of Manchester talent on there which really represents the unique culture of the city. I’m looking forward to getting tucked into a bit more music and I’ve seen some great looking coffee shops that I also can’t wait to try. The chance to explore the city a bit more is exciting, especially being new to the Manchester Originals team.
E: Manchester is home. I’ve grown up in and around Manchester, it’s where my friends are, where my family is and where my love for cricket began. Emirates Old Trafford specifically feels like home to me, it’s friendly, sociable, and inclusive and I can’t think of a better place to have grown up and developed my cricketing skills.
Featured image: Alex Pantling – ECB/ECB via Getty Images
Sport
Oldham RLFC chairman to step aside following ‘stadium ban’ and winding-up petition
Danny Jones
Oldham Rugby League Football Club chairman Bill Quinn has said he is stepping down from his role at the organisation following a reported club-wide stadium ban and an HMRC winding-up petition earlier this month.
Quinn has now claimed that the petition, which requires a company to appear in court over debts, has since been resolved, but the 59-year-old is still set to leave the local outfit.
Mirroring the concerning circumstances that nearly saw Salford Red Devils disappear completely last year, before a former player’s investment rescued the sporting institute in the eleventh hour, Oldham RLFC looked to be staring down a deeply concerning period of uncertainty.
Speaking directly to Roughyeds fans in a lengthy video share on social media, Quinn said that while he disagreed with many of the comments left by supporters online over the last few weeks, he understands their frustration and right to know what’s going on in and around Boundary Park.
Reiterating that he’s “more than happy” to answer reasonable questions levelled by Oldham residents and matchgoers, he said that he denies allegations made by fellow native club, Oldham Athletic, stating that they are “totally unfounded and untrue”.
The Latics are currently refusing the rugby league side from using their usual home ground, with the football team also serving as landlords and raising concerns over unpaid taxes and outstanding funds still owed to debtors – including OAFC themselves.
You can read their most recent public statement in full HERE.
However, Quinn claims that both entities claim the other one owes them money, and the situation looks to be unfortunately heading towards formal litigation.
Nevertheless, while Chorley-based businessmen say the club is prepared to settle their monetary differences if arrears prove to be the case on their part, he has still said that he will soon be quitting.
As you can see, despite plenty of support and sympathy from the faithful fan base, the process looks to already be in motion, and many are being urged to provide their feedback on what should happen next.
"Trust between a club and its supporters relies on openness and communication — both of which currently feel lacking. This open letter is not written in a spirit of hostility, but out of genuine concern for the future of Oldham RLFC".
Despite Quinn’s insistence that “everyone will be paid”, the spectre of possible liquidation has still caused plenty of concern among the community.
In the case of Salford RLFC, they were fortunate enough to have ex-winger Mason Caton-Brown step in as part of a consortium – you can read our full interview with him HERE – but as the weeks and months of that saga proved, a lot can change even day to day.
As for the coaching front, Alan Kilshaw has been confirmed as the new boss of the Roughyeds following director of rugby Mike Ford and his assistant Callum Irving leaving last week.
While winding-up summons obviously still loom large over the club at the moment, Oldham fans do at least have games to look forward to, with the Greater Manchester Championship club set to face off against Dewsbury Rams in the third round of the Challenge Cup this Sunday, 8 February (3pm).
Tracey Neville appointed as Managing Director of brand new Stockport County Women’s team
Danny Jones
Stockport County FC have finally and officially launched their new women’s team in what they are hailing as a “new era” for the female football in the area.
Moreover, they’ve hired an experienced international coach to head up the department, with Tracey Neville MBE selected as the Managing Director of the new outfit.
Sister to footballing brothers Phil and Gary Neville, but with an oft-overlooked impressive reputation of her own – having not only won bronze at both the 1998 Commonwealth Games and World Netball Championship in ’99 before going on to coach her national team – she arrives with plenty of pedigree.
Now swapping her discipline for a different set of nets, Tracey Neville will lead the pre-existing Stockport County Ladies setup into their next modern chapter as the SCFC Women.
The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
Writing in a short announcement on social media, the Hatters said: “The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
“Founded in 1989 as Stockport County Ladies, the team has spent 37 years as a volunteer-led community club, providing opportunities for women and girls across the borough.
“From the 2026–27 season, the team will compete as Stockport County Women, reflecting the growth of the women’s game and the club’s commitment to equality and opportunity.”
Also confirming the appointment of an experienced women’s and international sports personality, Tracey Neville, as the new MD, they’ve issued a clear mission statement.
Put simply, she and the rest of her staff are going to be tasked with creating “a clear pathway from grassroots to elite women’s football for Stopfordians.”
Commenting on her new role in a lengthier club statement, Neville said: “I am incredibly proud to be joining Stockport County at such a pivotal moment for the club and for the women’s game.
“My career in elite sport has shown me what is possible when there is a clear vision, strong leadership and a genuine commitment to developing talent from the ground up. Women’s football is at a defining point, and Stockport has the opportunity to do something special.
She goes on to add: “This is a community club with deep roots, and my focus will be on creating a clear, credible pathway for girls and women to progress, while building the standards, culture and infrastructure needed to compete at the highest level.”
“We want young girls in Stockport to believe that they can reach the top of the game without leaving their community. That’s how you build something powerful, sustainable and truly representative of the people it serves.”
This comes following another major announcement with the news of the next phase of the infrastructural development, with the wider football club set to take control of Stockport Sports Village (SSV) and turn it into the home not only of the youth academy, but County Women and grassroots club Stockport Town.
As for Stockport County Women, it was only last year that they were playing against Liverpool’s female senior first team at Edgeley Park, and with all the investment happening in and around the organisation, you can expect more dates like these in the near future.
Stockport County Ladies become Women from next season onwards.
Daisy Jackson -
26th August 2022 
