Manchester Super Giants, freshly rebranded courtesy of investments from an IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants, assembled a formidable squad at the inaugural Women’s Hundred Auction on 11th March 2026, one that blends proven stalwarts, explosive overseas firepower, and smart local picks.
Yet to claim a title in their previous attempts as Manchester Originals, this revamped unit boasts an ominous core of retained stars Sophie Ecclestone, Smriti Mandhana, and Meg Lanning, augmented by high-impact auction buys like the costliest acquisition, Paige Scholfield (£115,000). As the 6th edition looms from 21st July to 16th August 2026, with their campaign opener against London Spirit on 23rd July at Lord’s (7:30 PM IST), the Super Giants look primed to challenge for glory.
Before the auction frenzy, Manchester locked in three women’s cricket icons. Local left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone provides world-class control, while Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana brings flair. Her prior Hundred exploits with Southern Brave include 676 runs at a strike rate of 139.09 and an average of 26 across 29 innings (5 half-centuries in 29 matches).
Complementing her is former Australian skipper Meg Lanning, whose 457 runs at a 132.08 strike rate and 25.38 average (3 half-centuries in 18 innings) underscore her big-match pedigree. This trio forms the unshakeable foundation for a team hungry to rewrite history.
The auction supercharged their international contingent, creating a fearsome overseas core of five. Scotland skipper Kathryn Bryce (£65,000) fills the rare associate slot, extending her three-season stint with Manchester since 2023; she’s amassed 324 runs at 105.88 strike rate and 20.25 average (unbeaten half-century in 36 matches), plus 24 wickets at 23.95 average and 7.87 economy (five-wicket haul in 36 matches) in her career so far in the competition.
Young Indian wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh (£50,000) injects destruction, with 169 runs at 107.64 strike rate and 16.90 average in 10 innings (11 matches). Australian all-rounder Maitlan Brown (£40,000) chips in steadily, boasting 33 runs and 1 wicket so far. This blend promises batting fireworks and versatile bowling.
The sensational left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone has picked up 35 wickets at an average of 20.54 and an economy of 6.69 in 33 innings, including one four-wicket haul in 33 matches with the ball for her side in the tournament so far. Besides her exploits with the ball, she has also chipped in with handy lower order runs with the bat as and when required, with 285 runs at a strike rate of 135.71 and an average of 14.25 in 27 innings with the bat for her side so far. She has been with the Manchester franchise since the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Smart domestic hauls ensure depth and aggression. Middle-order powerhouse Paige Scholfield tops the spending at £115,000, signaling big expectations. Rising all-rounder Ryana MacDonald-Gay (£75,000) adds seam bite, while spinners Mady Villiers (£45,000) and a part-timer in Grace Scrivens (£40,000) fortify the attack alongside Grace Ballinger (£42,500). Utility players Jo Gardner (£17,000), Natasha Wraith (£15,000), and Rebecca Tyson (£15,000) round out a squad blending experience with youth.
Manchester Super Giants Women Squad The Hundred 2026 (So Far):
Paige Scholfield, Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning, Smriti Mandhana, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Kathryn Bryce, Richa Ghosh, Mady Villiers, Grace Ballinger, Maitlan Brown, Grace Scrivens, Jo Gardner, Natasha Wraith, Rebecca Tyson
With Ecclestone’s spin wizardry, Mandhana and Lanning’s run-machine reliability, and Ghosh’s X-factor, the Super Giants exude title-contender vibes. Their Lord’s showdown against the London Spirit will test this blueprint early. Could 2026 finally be their year?
Loves all things female cricket