MANCHESTER — In a significant rebranding move, the Manchester Originals have been officially renamed the Manchester Super Giants, aligning the men's and women's teams with the global SA20 franchise brand. The club has simultaneously announced its first major retentions for the 2026 season of The Hundred, securing the services of England superstars Jos Buttler and Sophie Ecclestone as their marquee players.
The decision to adopt the 'Super Giants' moniker follows the successful integration of the name across other teams in the portfolio of the ownership group, GSK Cricket, including the IPL's Lucknow Super Giants and the SA20's Durban's Super Giants. This strategic unification aims to create a cohesive global cricket brand. The retention of Buttler and Ecclestone, however, sends a powerful message of stability and ambition, ensuring the franchise's on-field identity remains rooted in world-class, homegrown talent.
A New Era with Familiar Faces
The announcement confirms that both Jos Buttler and Sophie Ecclestone have signed new two-year deals, committing them to the Manchester Super Giants for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Buttler, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter and former England white-ball captain, has been the men's team's icon player since the inception of The Hundred. His explosive batting at the top of the order has been a cornerstone of the team's strategy, making him one of the most feared players in the competition.
Sophie Ecclestone, the world's number-one ranked women's T20 bowler, is arguably the most valuable player in the women's game. Her left-arm orthodox spin offers relentless control and a prolific wicket-taking threat. Retaining her is a coup for the women's side, as she is consistently the most sought-after player in draft scenarios. Club Director of Cricket, Simon Katich, emphasized their importance, stating: "Jos and Sophie are not just elite performers; they are leaders who embody the spirit we want for the Manchester Super Giants."
Strategic Signings and Squad Building Begins
Alongside the headline retentions, the Manchester Super Giants have confirmed several other signings, kickstarting their squad assembly for 2026. In the men's team, explosive Australian opener Phil Salt has been retained, ensuring a devastating opening partnership with Buttler. The pace attack will be bolstered by the retention of young English quick Josh Tongue and the experienced South African seamer Wayne Parnell.
For the women's team, the focus has been on securing a core of England internationals around Ecclestone. Wicketkeeper-batter Eleanor Threlkeld and all-rounder Emma Lamb have both been retained, providing vital domestic backbone. Furthermore, in a significant signing, the club has secured the return of star all-rounder Laura Wolvaardt. The South African captain, known for her elegant yet powerful batting, was a standout performer in earlier seasons and her return is a major boost.
The confirmed squad members so far are:
Men's Team: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Wayne Parnell.
Women's Team: Sophie Ecclestone, Laura Wolvaardt, Eleanor Threlkeld, Emma Lamb.
The Rebrand: More Than Just a Name Change
The transition from Manchester Originals to Manchester Super Giants is not merely cosmetic. It represents a deeper integration into a growing global cricket network. Fans can expect enhanced digital content, potential player exchanges with sister franchises, and a shared philosophy of aggressive, entertaining cricket. The club has assured that while the name evolves, its connection to Manchester remains paramount. The iconic Electric Rose team colour is set to stay, acting as a visual bridge between the old and the new.
In a joint statement, the ownership group expressed their vision: "This is an exciting new chapter for cricket in Manchester. Uniting under the Super Giants banner allows us to pool resources, knowledge, and a winning mentality from around the world. Our commitment is to build teams that Manchester can be proud of, teams that compete for titles, and this starts with securing foundational talents like Jos and Sophie."
Looking Ahead to The Hundred 2026 Draft
With these retentions and signings confirmed, the focus for the Manchester Super Giants management now shifts to the draft later this year. The men's team, having retained two top-tier £125,000 players (Buttler and Salt), will have strategic decisions to make in building a balanced squad. The women's team, with Ecclestone and Wolvaardt as central pillars, has a formidable base from which to add further firepower. Speculation is already rife about which other international stars might be targeted to fill the remaining slots.
Simon Katich hinted at the approach, noting: "Securing our core early gives us a clear picture. The draft is always dynamic, but we now know the key pieces we're building around. Our goal is to add complementary skills—whether that's more power-hitting, death bowling expertise, or spin options—to create the most complete squad possible."
A Statement of Intent for the Future
The dual announcement of a global rebrand and the retention of two of England's biggest cricket stars is a powerful statement of intent from the Manchester Super Giants. It balances a forward-looking, ambitious global identity with a concrete commitment to local, elite performance. For fans, it provides immediate reassurance that the team's competitive edge will remain sharp despite the change in name. The message is clear: the Manchester Super Giants are here to win, and they are building from a position of strength with Jos Buttler and Sophie Ecclestone leading the charge into this new era.
As the cricketing world digests this news, anticipation for The Hundred's 2026 season has undoubtedly been heightened. The Manchester franchise has set the early pace in the team-building phase, proving that while their name is new, their ambition to be at the summit of the competition is as traditional as ever. The stage is now set for a fascinating draft and a season where the Super Giants will look to live up to their new, lofty name.