Manchester Originals beat London Spirit by 10 runs to register their first win of the season, making 163 thanks to a quickfire knock from Ben McKinnie and 46 from Jos Buttler after which Sonny Baker and Josh Tongue held off David Warner’s 53.
The Manchester Originals are finally off the mark this season, but they had to sweat for it. A late blitz from David Warner had London Spirit sniffing a heist before the hosts clung on to win by 10 runs at Old Trafford.
It was a proper team effort from the Originals—heavy lifting done by the top four, followed by some fiery spells from Sonny Baker and Josh Tongue. Ben McKinney lit things up early, swatting three huge sixes and a couple of fours in a whirlwind 29 off just 12 balls. Phil Salt added 31 but for once played the supporting role. Jos Buttler, all patience and nudges, made 46 from 37 to keep the innings ticking after the early fireworks. Heinrich Klaasen chipped in with 24, and the final tally of 163 equalled the highest score of this year’s men’s competition.
Spirit’s reply began in a tangle. Baker’s opening burst was electric—quick, straight, and miserly. He beat Warner’s bat multiple times and leaked only four runs in his first 10 deliveries. Warner (53) and Kane Williamson tried to steady things, but the runs never came freely. Baker’s aggression rattled them, and Tongue joined in with three key wickets, including Warner strangled down the leg side.
There was still a flicker of hope for the visitors—Jamie Smith and Ashton Turner both cleared the ropes—but 80 needed from the last 40 balls was always a mountain. Jamie Overton’s 19 from seven kept the crowd interested until the final few deliveries, but the gap was just too big.
Baker, deservedly named Meerkat Match Hero, was grinning afterwards. “Massive win against a good side,” he said. “I just wanted to bowl fast and swing it away from the left-handers. Against someone like David Warner, the margin for error is tiny. First game here I opened the bowling with Sir Jimmy Anderson from the Sir Jimmy Anderson End—a surreal moment for me. This one feels just as special.”