We haven’t had a chance to see either the Originals or the Spirit play a game in the 2023 Women’s Hundred League, as both squads had their first match abandoned due to rain. Manchester Originals Women vs. London Spirit Women will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, on August 5th. Keep checking our homepage for all the latest match previews and betting advice.
MANCHESTER ORIGINALS WOMEN
Manchester had a fairly disappointing season in 2022, as the team finished in sixth place with a 2-4 record. However, there have been quite a few additions and subtractions to the team in the off-season.
Allrounder Deandra Dottin still remains (147 runs in 2022), but Manchester has somehow added the best batter and bowler from last season, respectively. Laura Wolvaardt (286 runs) from South Africa and Amanda-Jade Wellington (17 wickets) from Australia are massive inclusions to the team, which softens the loss of Lizelle Lee (169 runs) to Trent. Thankfully, Ecclestone (8 wickets) and Lamb (136 runs) have stayed in Manchester.
LONDON SPIRIT WOMEN
The London Spirit had a similar season to the Originals with a 2-4 record, but finished in seventh place due to a worse NRR. The Spirit’s squad has taken a bit of a step back, as Beth Mooney (205 runs) won’t rejoin the team or indeed the entire League. Still, allrounder Grace Harris (Australia) and batter Richa Ghosh (India) are solid replacements. Allrounder Amelia Kerr remains the in team, too, as she was important with 119 runs and 9 wickets.
Another plus is the fact that batter Heather Knight has returned to London after missing the entire 2022 season. She’s been batting great lately, even scoring 67 & 75* in recent ODI games against Australia. Gibson (5/98) is another great player to return and the Spirit will need her bowling expertise throughout the season.
MOW VS LSW TOSS PREDICTION
Any side that wins the toss must choose to bat first so they may take advantage of the pitch’s favourable batting conditions. Since the pitch isn’t very bouncy generally, the side batting first will have an advantage.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS
Any team batting first often makes high scores and wins, because the Old Trafford pitch normally favours batters. Currently, in T20 matches played on this surface, the side batting first wins by a score of 33/59. Since spinners have historically had good fortune on this certain pitch, it won’t be shocking if they take many big wickets.
MOW VS LSW BETTING TIPS
The Parimatch odds are actually quite close, but we’d have to go with the Originals in this matchup. The loss of Mooney for the Spirit is major news, and even though there are good replacements in the team, we feel like they’ve taken a step back.
With Wolvaardt and Wellington joining Manchester, not to mention keeping Dottin, Ecclestone, and Lamb, the Originals have a fantastic roster this season and will be one of the favourites to win the league.
Bet on Manchester Originals to win.
TODAY MATCH PREDICTION
Manchester Originals Women To Win the Match, 1.80