• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Manchester Originals To Tie Up With Lucknow Super Giants For The Hundred Reports

Manchester Originals To Tie Up With Lucknow Super Giants For The Hundred - Reports

Manchester Originals in action (X)Manchester Originals in action (X)

Lancashire Cricket Club is setting its sights on a strategic partnership with an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise as they prepare to co-manage Manchester Originals from 2025.

With the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) slated to invite investors for The Hundred next month, Lancashire aims to align with a cricket powerhouse rather than just a financial backer.

Is Lancashire eyeing Lucknow Super Giants for Manchester Originals joint venture in The Hundred?

The club's efforts to strengthen ties with India over the past five years—including pre-season tours, matches with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru-linked teams, and signing Indian stars like Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer and Washington Sundar highlight their intent to attract an IPL partner.

"We'd love to work with an IPL team," Lancashire CEO Daniel Gidney told ESPNcricinfo, highlighting the mutual benefits of such a collaboration.

"Our preference is a partner who will partner with us on cricket, who can really help us grow our cricket, and clearly we have a strong interest in India because of the opportunities that would bring - both for us and for them… our pathway is the best in the country, and so is our medical staff,” added Gidney.

Lancashire, set to receive a 51% stake in Manchester Originals as part of The Hundred's sale, has already engaged with several potential partners, including representatives from Lucknow Super Giants.

Gidney stated that while London franchises may attract higher bids, Manchester Originals offers the best value for those looking beyond mere financial gain.

Meanwhile, as private investment looms, Gidney is pushing for an increase in overseas player slots and more "local heroes" in the draft system, expressing frustration that top Lancashire players like Liam Livingstone are not part of the Originals.

With Lancashire's focus on a cricket-first partnership, their pursuit of an IPL franchise could set the stage for a transformative chapter in both the club's and Manchester Originals' future.