Manchester franchise have venue "lined up" for women's Hundred

The Manchester outfit is the tournament’s only single-county franchise. When the ECB revealed the competition's venues, the Originals’ ground was declared ‘TBC’ on an official press release from the governing body

Manchester Originals’ home ground for the women’s version of The Hundred has not yet been announced, though that should not act as a cause of concern, says Lancashire chief executive Daniel Gidney.

The venues to be used during the competition were confirmed on Monday for seven of the eight franchises, with several county grounds set to stage games.

Western Fire, whose men’s team will play at Cardiff, will have their women’s side based at both Taunton and Bristol, while Birmingham Phoenix’s women’s team will play their home games at Worcester.

The Manchester outfit, however, are the tournament’s only single-county franchise. When the ECB revealed the other venues, the Originals’ ground was declared ‘TBC’ on an official press release from the governing body.

“We have got somewhere lined up,” Gidney assured The Cricketer. “It’s just that we are not quite ready – for logistical reasons – to announce that. It’s not like we’re worrying or looking for somewhere.

“We have got a venue agreed. It’s just that the ECB’s announcement caught us a bit by surprise timewise,” he added.

“We are going to run two double-headers [at Emirates Old Trafford alongside the men’s team’s games]. I think that’s appropriate with a Manchester-based team.”

In this year’s Kia Super League, Lancashire Thunder played their home games at four different venues: Emirates Old Trafford, Liverpool CC, Blackpool CC and Chester Boughton Hall CC.

Simon Katich has already been announced as the head coach of the Manchester men’s outfit. The person in charge of the women’s side has not yet been revealed.