The Hundred: Manchester Originals’ Phoebe Graham says the league is inspiring a new generation | News about cricket
The women’s tournament kicks off on Thursday with the defending Oval Invincibles champions facing Northern Superchargers; Manchester Originals’ Phoebe Graham hopes The Hundred can build on the Lionesses’ footballing successes and continue to thrive in women’s sport
By Phoebe Graham
Last updated: 09/08/22 9:46 am
Phoebe Graham heads to the women’s competition in The Hundred, as she aligns with Manchester Originals and the league aims to build on the success of the Lionesses and further advance women’s sport…
Hundred is back and this time it’s bigger and better. Live music, live sports, back-to-back duels… can’t domestic cricket get any better than this?
Doubles kicks off on Thursday with a women’s match between the Oval Invincibles and the Northern Superchargers at 18:30.
Invincibles vs Superchargers
August 11, 2022, 6:00 pm
Live on
We start at The Kia Oval, where the tournament kicks off in 2021 with a women’s game, setting a precedent and showing that the competition is about equality and inspiring the next generation. .
Joe Root showed it on Saturday, signing autographs 90 minutes after Trent Rockets game against Birmingham Phoenix at Trent Bridge.
The impact of this tournament on women’s cricket has been phenomenal. We have seen additional funding for women’s sport, an increase in domestic contracts and most importantly, a record-breaking year for women’s sport.
According to research, 33 million fans watched women’s sport in the UK by 2021, with 71% going to watch more women’s sports. After being inspired by the Lionesses to bring home football last Sunday, this is just the beginning of what’s to come.
The perception is changing in society about women’s sports. We are being treated equally and inspiring the next generation. Hundred contributed to that and I just want to see it get better and better.
‘The best training environment I’ve ever been in’
The tournament has been the highlight of my career so far. We played side by side with the seniors, had a ‘one team’ mindset and had access to the same training facilities and competed on the main stage.
I was Supercharger last year, playing on the pitch of my childhood as Headingley and alongside some world greats like Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt. This year, a new challenge opens with Manchester Originals. Same gig, another home, and more great things.
Originals vs Rockets
August 13, 2022, 10:30 am
Live on
Kate Cross will lead our team with Sophie Ecclestone, Deandra Dottin and Emma Lamb also in our ranks. It was the first couple of days of unrealistic training, the best coaching environment I’ve ever been in. We have class, professionalism and a desire to win.
The international players are yet to join us like they were at the Commonwealth Games but they will take our team to the next level. Our first game is at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday against the Trent Rockets.
We met as a team on Wednesday night to talk about all things Manchester, with new signings introduced with a wide Manchester Originals cap. I am the lucky 37 year old and had the honor of having Jos Butler recommend my shirt to me.
The Lionesses shows that growth in women’s sport is bigger than trophies and I want The Hundred to have a similar legacy and impact on society. This is just the beginning. We want young girls to have access to our sports and play them in their PE lessons.
I want my little niece Darcey to grow up in a world filled with athletic possibilities (even if sports aren’t for you, Darce!). Hundred is bigger than us, it’s about the game.
The women’s competition in The Hundred begins Thursday with the defending Oval Invincibles champions facing off against Northern Superchargers.
Watch on Sky Sports – including for free on our live stream on skysports.com and the Sky Sports App – from 6pm before the first ball game at 6:30pm.