Date: August 11, 2025 | Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Time: 11:00 PM IST / 5:30 PM GMT / 6:30 PM Local
When the Manchester Originals square off against the London Spirit at Old Trafford on August 11, expect nothing less than a high-voltage contest under the lights. With both teams hungry to assert dominance in The Hundred Men’s 2025, this fixture brings together a mix of international superstars, rising domestic talents, and contrasting team fortunes.
For the Originals, it’s about finding a way back from a stuttering start. For the Spirit, it’s about building on newfound momentum. And for the fans — it’s a night where the sound of leather meeting willow will echo across Manchester, with bragging rights and vital points on the line.
 Setting the Scene: The Stakes for Both Teams
The Originals enter this clash under pressure. Their campaign so far hasn’t gone according to script. A heavy defeat to the Oval Invincibles in their last outing exposed familiar weaknesses: an inconsistent top order and a bowling unit struggling to defend below-par totals. The frustration is palpable, especially for a side boasting names like Jos Buttler and Phil Salt.
On the flip side, the Spirit walk into Old Trafford with their tails up. A gritty win over the Welsh Fire — powered by David Warner’s masterclass with the bat — has injected belief into their dressing room. Their bowling attack, often under scrutiny, delivered at the death to seal a tense victory. This match is their chance to prove that they’re more than just occasional spoilers; they’re title contenders.
 Recent Form & Team Analysis
Manchester Originals: Searching for Spark
The Originals’ campaign began with promise, but the results have been sobering. In their last match against the Invincibles:
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Phil Salt was the lone bright spot, scoring a fighting 41 when others faltered.
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Jos Buttler fell cheaply, unable to impose himself as he often does in white-ball cricket.
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The middle order lacked fluency, struggling to rotate strike against disciplined bowling.
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The bowlers, led by Scott Currie and Lewis Gregory, couldn’t extract enough from the surface to make a game of it.
Strengths:
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Power-packed top order when in form (Buttler, Salt, Klaasen).
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All-round depth with players like Rachin Ravindra and Gregory.
Weaknesses:
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Over-reliance on early batting momentum.
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Inability to defend modest totals under pressure.
London Spirit: Riding the Warner Wave
If there’s one player capable of turning games single-handedly, it’s David Warner — and he proved that against Welsh Fire. His 70-run knock was a vintage blend of controlled aggression and precision shot-making.
The Spirit’s bowling also clicked:
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Daniel Worrall struck early to set the tone.
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Richard Gleeson and Liam Dawson kept things tight in the middle overs.
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The death overs, often their Achilles’ heel, were handled with composure.
Strengths:
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Strong blend of experience (Warner, Williamson) and youth (Jamie Smith, Ollie Pope).
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A bowling unit capable of exploiting different pitch conditions.
Weaknesses:
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Middle order sometimes slow to accelerate if early wickets fall.
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Can be over-reliant on Warner for explosive starts.
 Players to Watch
Manchester Originals
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Jos Buttler (Captain): Needs to rediscover his fluency. His ability to dominate in the powerplay is central to the Originals’ fortunes.
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Phil Salt: Currently their most reliable batter, adept at counter-attacking under pressure.
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Noor Ahmad: The young Afghan spinner could exploit Old Trafford’s grip for spinners, especially in the middle overs.
London Spirit
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David Warner: Fresh off a match-winning knock, Warner will look to unsettle Originals’ bowlers early.
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Kane Williamson: The glue in Spirit’s middle order, adept at pacing an innings.
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Jamie Overton: An x-factor all-rounder whose power-hitting and handy seam bowling add balance.
 Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played | MNR Wins | LNS Wins | No Result |
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4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
The Originals hold a slender advantage, but every encounter between these two has been competitive. Old Trafford’s conditions and Manchester’s home advantage could play a decisive role.
 Venue & Pitch Report: Old Trafford
Old Trafford is no stranger to hosting high-scoring thrillers, yet it also offers something for the bowlers:
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For Batters: True bounce and even pace make stroke-play rewarding, particularly square of the wicket.
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For Pacers: Hitting the deck hard can extract extra bounce. Cutters and cross-seam deliveries can be effective at the death.
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For Spinners: The surface tends to grip as the game progresses, bringing slower bowlers into play.
With quality spinners like Noor Ahmad and Liam Dawson in action, middle-over battles could be pivotal.
 Predicted Playing XIs
Manchester Originals:
Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt, Heinrich Klaasen, Rachin Ravindra, Lewis Gregory, Ben McKinney, Matthew Hurst, Scott Currie, Noor Ahmad, James Anderson, Sonny Baker.
London Spirit:
David Warner, Kane Williamson, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith, Ashton Turner, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Daniel Worrall, Richard Gleeson, Olly Stone, Luke Wood.
 Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeepers: Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, Jamie Smith
Batters: David Warner, Kane Williamson, Phil Salt
All-rounders: Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Ashton Turner
Bowlers: Daniel Worrall, Noor Ahmad
Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:
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Choice 1: Jos Buttler (c), Jamie Smith (vc)
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Choice 2: David Warner (c), Phil Salt (vc)
Backups: Olly Stone, James Anderson, Sonny Baker, Tom Aspinwall
 Tactical Battles to Watch
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Buttler vs Worrall: The Originals captain’s tendency to attack early will be tested against Worrall’s disciplined line and movement.
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Warner vs Anderson: The veteran vs the aggressor — Anderson’s guile could force Warner into risky strokes.
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Middle Overs Spin: Noor Ahmad and Dawson could dictate terms if they find rhythm and grip.
 A Night for Heroes
This fixture has all the makings of a classic. For Manchester Originals, it’s a fight to stay relevant in the standings and prove that their early stumbles were just blips. For London Spirit, it’s a chance to consolidate momentum and send a message to the rest of the competition.
Old Trafford will be buzzing, the floodlights will be unforgiving, and every delivery will carry weight. Whether it’s Warner’s power, Buttler’s brilliance, or a surprise hero emerging from the ranks, one thing’s certain: fans are in for a spectacle.
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