Manchester Originals return to The Hundred 2025 with renewed determination after a disappointing 2024 campaign. With England captain Jos Buttler back fit and ready to lead the team, and the addition of legendary fast bowler James Anderson as a Vitality Wildcard pick, the Originals are looking to reclaim their place among the competition’s elite. Playing their home matches at the iconic Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, the team will be eager to reach their third final in four years under head coach Simon Katich.
Captain and Leadership
Jos Buttler will continue as captain of Manchester Originals for The Hundred 2025. The England wicket-keeper batsman returns after missing the 2024 tournament due to injury, where Phil Salt deputised as captain. Buttler, who led the team to consecutive finals in 2022 and 2023, expressed his excitement about returning to the competition.
“I was gutted to miss last year’s Hundred campaign, so I’m excited to be back,” said Buttler. The 34-year-old brings vast experience and explosive batting ability to the team, having been a key figure in Manchester Originals success in previous seasons.
Head Coach and Management
Simon Katich continues as head coach for Manchester Originals men’s team, signing a further one-year contract for the 2025 season. The 49-year-old former Australia batsman has been with the franchise since The Hundred’s inception in 2021 and has led the team to two finals.
Katich said: “I have absolutely loved my time leading the Manchester Originals over the last three years and I’m already looking forward to next year. It’s a competition I thoroughly enjoy, and we are determined to win it for Manchester.” Despite a challenging 2024 season where the team finished seventh, Katich feels there is “unfinished business” given their success in previous years.
Complete Manchester Originals Men’s Squad 2025
Manchester Originals have assembled a formidable 15-man squad featuring a perfect blend of English talent and overseas stars. Here’s the complete roster:
| Player | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jos Buttler (Captain) | Wicket-keeper | England |
| Phil Salt | Wicket-keeper/Batsman | England |
| Lewis Gregory | All-rounder | England |
| Ben McKinney | Batsman | England |
| George Garton | Bowler | England |
| Matthew Hurst | Wicket-keeper | England |
| Josh Tongue | Bowler | England |
| Scott Currie | Bowler | England |
| Tom Hartley | Bowler | England |
| Sonny Baker | Bowler | England |
| Tom Aspinwall | Bowler | England |
| James Anderson | Bowler | England |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler | Afghanistan (Overseas) |
| Rachin Ravindra | All-rounder | New Zealand (Overseas) |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Wicket-keeper/Batsman | South Africa (Overseas) |
Key Squad Changes for 2025
The major headline addition is James Anderson, who has been selected by Manchester Originals as part of the Vitality Wildcard Draft. The legendary England fast bowler, who retired from international cricket in 2024, will be making his debut in The Hundred at the age of 42.
Other significant additions include Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad, who secured a £200,000 deal, and New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, fresh from his stellar performances in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Star Players to Watch
Jos Buttler (Captain): The explosive England wicket-keeper batsman returns as captain after missing 2024 due to injury. His leadership and batting prowess were crucial in the team’s finals appearances in 2022 and 2023.
James Anderson: The 42-year-old England legend makes his Hundred debut as a Vitality Wildcard pick. Anderson’s vast experience and bowling skills will add significant depth to the bowling attack.
Rachin Ravindra: The New Zealand all-rounder joins Manchester Originals fresh from his outstanding performances in the Champions Trophy 2025, where he was named player of the tournament with 263 runs and three dismissals.
Heinrich Klaasen: The South African wicket-keeper batsman brings explosive power-hitting ability and was secured through the new direct signing model.
Noor Ahmad: The Afghanistan left-arm wrist spinner secured one of the highest salaries at £200,000 and adds a unique spin dimension to the bowling attack.
Phil Salt: The attacking England opener provides firepower at the top of the order and successfully captained the team in Buttler’s absence in 2024.
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Manchester Originals Fixtures 2025
Manchester Originals will play eight group stage matches, with four crucial home games at Emirates Old Trafford:
| Date | Match Details | Venue | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, August 6 | Manchester Originals vs Southern Brave | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester | 6:30 PM |
| Saturday, August 9 | Oval Invincibles vs Manchester Originals | Kennington Oval, London | 2:30 PM |
| Monday, August 11 | Manchester Originals vs London Spirit | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester | 6:30 PM |
| Wednesday, August 13 | Welsh Fire vs Manchester Originals | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | 6:30 PM |
| Sunday, August 17 | Manchester Originals vs Northern Superchargers | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester | 2:30 PM |
| Tuesday, August 19 | Trent Rockets vs Manchester Originals | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | 6:30 PM |
| Sunday, August 24 | Manchester Originals vs Birmingham Phoenix | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester | 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday, August 26 | Northern Superchargers vs Manchester Originals | Headingley, Leeds | 6:30 PM |
Home Advantage at Emirates Old Trafford
Manchester Originals will play four home matches at Emirates Old Trafford, providing them with crucial home support. The opening match against Southern Brave on August 6 will set the tone for their campaign, while key fixtures against London Spirit, Northern Superchargers, and Birmingham Phoenix will be vital for their playoff hopes.
Tournament Format and Expectations
Each team plays six other sides once and their nearest regional rivals twice in the group stage. The teams finishing in the top positions advance to the knockout stages, with eliminators scheduled for August 30 and Finals Day at Lord’s on August 31.
Manchester Originals will be determined to bounce back from their disappointing 2024 campaign, where they finished seventh with only one victory. With Buttler back as captain and the addition of quality players like Anderson, Ravindra, and Ahmad, they have the squad depth to challenge for another final appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is the captain of Manchester Originals men’s team for The Hundred 2025? Jos Buttler is the captain of Manchester Originals men’s team for The Hundred 2025. The England wicket-keeper batsman returns to lead the team after missing the 2024 tournament due to injury.
Q2: Which players are the overseas signings for Manchester Originals in 2025? Manchester Originals have three overseas players: Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan) spinner, Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) all-rounder, and Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa) wicket-keeper batsman.
Q3: Who is James Anderson and why is his inclusion significant? James Anderson is England’s legendary fast bowler who was selected by Manchester Originals as a Vitality Wildcard pick. At 42, he will be making his Hundred debut after retiring from international cricket in 2024, bringing vast experience to the squad.
Q4: Who is the head coach of Manchester Originals for The Hundred 2025? Simon Katich is the head coach of Manchester Originals men’s team. The former Australia batsman has been with the franchise since 2021 and led them to consecutive finals in 2022 and 2023.
Q5: How many home matches will Manchester Originals play at Emirates Old Trafford? Manchester Originals will play four home matches at Emirates Old Trafford: vs Southern Brave (Aug 6), vs London Spirit (Aug 11), vs Northern Superchargers (Aug 17), and vs Birmingham Phoenix (Aug 24).
Q6: What happened to Manchester Originals in The Hundred 2024? Manchester Originals had a disappointing 2024 campaign, finishing seventh with only one victory in eight matches. This was largely due to captain Jos Buttler missing the tournament through injury, with Phil Salt deputising as captain.
Conclusion
Manchester Originals head into The Hundred 2025 with a strong squad and renewed ambitions under Jos Buttler’s returning captaincy and Simon Katich’s continued coaching. The addition of legends like James Anderson, combined with exciting overseas signings Rachin Ravindra and Noor Ahmad, provides the team with the quality and experience needed to challenge for another final. With four home matches at Emirates Old Trafford and the hunger to bounce back from 2024’s disappointment, the Originals are well-positioned to reclaim their status as one of The Hundred’s premier teams.