Manchester Originals — The Hundred Team Guide 2026

About Manchester Originals

Manchester Originals are the northern England franchise in The Hundred, playing at Emirates Old Trafford — one of England's premier cricket grounds and a venue that regularly hosts Ashes and World Cup matches. The Originals play in teal and yellow and represent Greater Manchester's enormous appetite for white-ball cricket. Old Trafford's large capacity and loyal Lancashire following provide a strong home fortress for the franchise.

Old Trafford: Northern Cricket's Home

Emirates Old Trafford has been redeveloped into a modern stadium with excellent facilities while retaining its historic character. The ground's covered stands keep the crowd loud even during the rain interruptions that are never far away in Manchester. Old Trafford's pitch is generally good for batting in summer, though the outfield can slow slightly during rainy spells, which affects boundary counts and influences captains' decisions at the toss.

Key Players and Squad

Manchester Originals have featured quality Lancashire CCC professionals alongside international recruits. Their squads have typically balanced batting depth with bowling variety, recognising that Old Trafford's larger boundaries sometimes make power-hitting less dominant than at smaller grounds. Spin bowlers have been particularly effective at Old Trafford's slower pitches in the evenings when the surface dries out and turns.

Fan Culture and Atmosphere

Manchester's cricket crowd is renowned for its passion and knowledge. Old Trafford regularly sells out for The Hundred fixtures, with fans bringing the same energy seen during major Tests and ODIs. The northern rivalry with other franchises — particularly London-based teams — adds an edge to cross-competition fixtures that attracts neutrals and generates significant buzz on social media during match nights.