The first signings of the open market stage in The Hundred women’s competition have been confirmed with Phoebe Graham back at Emirates Old Trafford for a second season.
Graham is joined at Manchester Originals by all-rounder Fi Morris – formerly of Southern Brave and Welsh Fire – and young batter Liberty Heap.
Across the eight teams, 26 signings have been announced withHeap one of six stars of England Women’s U19 World Cup team among the list, as well as Australian all-rounder Erin Burns, WPL break-out star Tara Norris and Scottish leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood.
Through the retention window and The Hundred Draft, powered by Sage, held in March, each team signed eight players, leaving seven slots to fill in the Open Market Stage.
The final 30 signings in the women’s competition, including the final four members of the Manchester Originals squad,will be confirmed alongside The Vitality Wildcard picks in the men’s competition, due to be announced 6 July/7 July.
Manchester Originals: Liberty Heap, Phoebe Graham, Fi Morris
Birmingham Phoenix: Abtaha Maqsood, Erin Burns, Chloe Brewer, Sterre Kalis
London Spirit: Grace Scrivens, Tara Norris, Niamh Holland
Northern Superchargers: Marie Kelly, Aylish Cranstone, Phoebe Franklin
Oval Invincibles: Eva Gray, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Kira Chathli
Southern Brave: Georgia Adams, Rhianna Southby, Danielle Gregory
Trent Rockets: Josie Groves, Emma Jones, Naomi Dattani, Alexa Stonehouse
Welsh Fire: Alex Griffiths, Claire Nicholas, Sarah Bryce
Manchester Originals will travel to Cardiff on Wednesday 2 August for their first game, a day after a double-header at Trent Bridge between Trent Rockets and Southern Brave to kick off the third year of The Hundred – the first of 34 matchdays that promise high-octane men’s and women’s sporting action, live music, and a host of family-friendly entertainment.
More than half a million people attended games during The Hundred’s second year in 2022, including a record-breaking 271,000 watching live women’s fixtures across the competition and more families buying tickets than in 2021.
Tickets are selling fast and are available here. Tickets this year remain great value in line with 2022 pricing, with prices set at £5 for juniors aged 6-15, free for children five and under, and adults starting from £15.
Phoebe Graham said: “I can’t wait to be back out there with Manchester Originals for the third year of The Hundred. It’s a world-class competition with some of the best players in the world and brilliant crowds so you always want to be a part of it. We’ve had a few changes as a result of The Draft so I’m really looking forward to how we come together this year, hopefully we can put on a show for all our fans in Manchester.”
Over 14.1 million people tuned in to watch The Hundred action in 2022 and games will again be broadcast live on Sky Sports and BBC broadcast and digital channels throughout the competition.
To stay up to date with the latest news, buy tickets or to sign up for priority access, visit thehundred.com or follow The Hundred, and the eight teams, on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
