ELIZABETH BOTCHERBY takes a look at the Originals' player recruitment and suggests what more needs to be done before the start of the new season
Who has been retained?
Manchester Originals have maintained a strong core after retaining nine players. ICC No.1-ranked T20I spinner Sophie Ecclestone headlines the retentions alongside fellow England international Kate Cross and South Africa’s Lizelle Lee.
They’ve also kept hold of rising star Emma Lamb, England A wicketkeeper Ellie Threlkeld and Thunder’s miserly spinner Hannah Jones.
Cordelia Griffith and Thunder duo Georgie Boyce and Laura Jackson complete the retained list.
Who has been released?
Three big names have left Emirates Old Trafford in Mignon du Preez, Harmanpreet Kaur and Alex Hartley. Spinner Hartley is a surprise departure and a loss for the Originals, both in terms of her leadership experience and wickets, but couldn’t come to a contract agreement. Du Preez struggled in 2021, scoring just 118 runs, while Kaur only played three matches due to injury.
Allrounder Nat Brown, medium pacer Alice Dyson and middle-order batter Danielle Collins have also departed.
Sophie Ecclestone has been retained by Manchester Originals
Which areas are well covered?
Manchester Originals have a promising, but not perfect, batting unit. Lee was the standout player in 2021, scoring 215 runs at a strike rate of 124.27, and while Lamb wasn’t at her best during The Hundred, her 455 runs in 10 matches for Thunder speak for themselves. Add in Georgie Boyce, Cordelia Griffiths and anchor Threlkeld, and you have solid foundations.
With Ecclestone, Jones and Lamb, the spin attack is also strong. The former pair take miserly to the extreme, conceding just 1.00 and 1.05 runs per ball, respectively, in 2021 while Lamb has a tendency to step up in the big moments. With two left-arm orthodox actions and one right-arm off-spinner, they also benefit from variety.
And behind the stumps, they have one of the most desirable keepers on the domestic circuit in the lightning quick Threlkeld.
Which areas lack cover?
Though blessed with several top-order options, Manchester batting quickly tails off and there is definite gap in quality compared to the likes of Birmingham Phoenix. And despite Ecclestone stepping in as a finisher last season, scoring 74 runs at a strike rate of 145.09, the Originals, like several sides, lack an explosive middle-order finisher or two.
A player in the mould of allrounder Erin Burns, who has been released by Birmingham Phoenix, could be an option, or perhaps Southern Vipers skipper Georgia Adams.
Their seam department, which currently consists of just Kate Cross and Laura Jackson, also requires bolstering. Cross is in a class of her own and was Manchester’s leading wicket-taker in 2021, picking up 12 wickets, while Jackson, named Thunder’s breakthrough player of the season last year, is coming on as her opening partner. However, additional depth and the purchasing of a proven wicket-taker is a must.
Manchester Originals: Georgie Boyce, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Cordelia Griffith, Laura Jackson, Hannah Jones, Emma Lamb, Lizelle Lee, Ellie Threlkeld (9)
Overseas players: 1
Spaces to fill: 7
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