Manchester Originals Clinch First Win of the Season, Hold Off Warner-Led Spirit in Thriller

Manchester Originals finally opened their account in the 2025 Men’s Hundred season, registering a hard-fought 10-run victory over London Spirit at Emirates Old Trafford on Monday.

Powered by a balanced batting performance and a fierce bowling display from young pacer Sonny Baker and seamer Josh Tongue, the Originals defended a competitive total of 163—the joint-highest score of the tournament so far.

Opener Ben McKinney provided the early fireworks for the Originals with a blistering 29 off just 12 deliveries, smashing three sixes and two boundaries. Phil Salt supported well with 31 as the duo pushed the score to 85 off 44 balls. While Jos Buttler (46 off 37) and Heinrich Klaasen (24 off 17) couldn’t maintain the early tempo, their contributions ensured a solid platform for the hosts.

Despite the slight middle-overs slowdown, the Originals’ 163 stood strong as London Spirit’s chase never quite took off. David Warner anchored the innings with a fluent 71, reclaiming his spot as the competition’s leading run-scorer. But tight spells from Baker and Tongue applied relentless pressure.

Baker, named Meerkat Match Hero, was outstanding with his opening spell—clocking speeds near 87mph and conceding just four runs in his first ten balls. His aggressive pace unsettled Warner early and helped restrict the Spirit’s momentum.

"I was just trying to bowl fast, to swing the new ball—especially away from the left-handers like Warner,” said a delighted Baker after the match. “He’s a great player, so you’ve got a tiny margin for error. But it’s an awesome feeling to get this win.”

Josh Tongue later delivered the crucial blow, removing Warner with a clever delivery down the leg side, finishing with figures of 3 for 29. Despite a late cameo from Jamie Overton (19 off 7), Spirit fell 10 runs short.

This win will come as a major boost for the Originals, who had struggled for consistency so far in the tournament. For London Spirit, it was a spirited chase but ultimately one that leaves them with missed opportunities as the tournament progresses.