Originals Break Duck as Spirit Women Make it Three from Three

The Hundred double-header at Old Trafford on Monday saw honours shared as Manchester Originals registered their first win of the men’s competition, while London Spirit Women extended their flawless start to the season.

England stars Jos Buttler and Josh Tongue were the difference as Manchester Originals broke their winless streak with a tense 10-run triumph over London Spirit.

Manchester Originals players celebrate the fall of a wicket in the match against London Spirit in The Hundred on Monday night. @The Hundred/X

Phil Salt (31 off 20, 4x4, 6x1), Buttler (46 off 37, 4x3, 6x2), Ben McKinney (29 off 12, 4x2, 6x3) and Heinrich Klaasen (24 off 17, 4x3) powered Originals to a competitive 163/6 from 100 balls.

Tongue then ripped through Spirit’s reply, returning 3-29 from 20 balls to halt a threatening chase led by David Warner. The Australian opener produced a valiant 71 off 51 balls (4x12, 6x1) but lacked support, as Spirit closed on 153/6. Sonny Baker’s miserly 1-21 from 20 deliveries earned him Player of the Match honours.

Originals skipper Phil Salt, relieved to get points on the board after two defeats, said

We massively needed it… Sometimes those games early on can be good to keep you honest.

Harris Heroics Power Spirit Women’s Late Escape

In the women’s fixture, defending champions London Spirit claimed their third straight win in dramatic style, edging Manchester Originals by three wickets with just two balls to spare.

Grace Harris was again the match-winner, smashing an unbeaten 50 from 32 balls (5x4, 2x6), including a towering six with 16 needed off the final 10 balls. Kira Chathli added a crucial 34 from 30 (4x4) as Spirit chased down 124/7.

The finish was nervy — Issy Wong and skipper Charlie Dean fell off successive deliveries to Kathryn Bryce, leaving Spirit needing nine from the final six balls. Sarah Glenn calmly struck Bryce’s hat-trick ball for four, then found another boundary to seal victory on the 98th ball.

Grace Harris and Sonny Baker with his medals. @ The Hundred/X

Harris, praising teammate Deandra Dottin’s earlier innings for Manchester, said

It was a bit of a tricky wicket early, but once you get in, you can cash in at the back end.

Manchester’s Batting Effort Falls Just Short

Earlier, Dottin top-scored with 36 off 30 balls, supported by Beth Mooney’s 26 off 20, as Manchester posted 122/6 after being put in to bat. Dean (2-18), Glenn, and Charli Knott kept Spirit’s batters in control.

The chase began shakily — Georgia Redmayne (11) and Danielle Gibson fell within three balls — but Chathli’s steady hand and Harris’ power hitting ensured Spirit maintained their perfect start.