Manchester Originals are set to face Trent Rockets in the 7th match of Men’s The Hundred at Old Trafford on Monday, July 29th. In the previous edition, Manchester Originals finished as runners-up after a 14-run defeat to Oval Invincibles. However, the Phil Salt-led team had a disappointing start this season, suffering a heavy loss to Welsh Fire. The Originals managed to score only 86/8 in their innings, a target which Welsh Fire easily chased down with eight wickets and 43 balls remaining.
In contrast, Trent Rockets, who finished fifth in the last edition, had a strong start in The Hundred 2024. They put up an impressive 185/5 against Northern Superchargers and then restricted them to 138/8, securing a 47-run victory. With numerous star players on both teams, cricket fans can look forward to an exciting match on Monday.
Ahead of this The Hundred encounter, let us quickly go through the match prediction, head-to-head, pitch report, and top players. 
Old Trafford, Manchester Pitch Report
Despite the first match of 2024 The Hundred at Old Trafford being a low-scoring affair, the venue is generally favorable for batters in white-ball cricket. Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first might be a strategic move, as the pitch is expected to stay consistent throughout the match. Chasing a target could provide an advantage, but teams need to be cautious of potential early swing with the new ball, which could challenge the top-order batters.
Old Trafford, Manchester Pitch Stats
Total Matches: 12
Matches won batting first: 3
Matches won bowling first: 6
Average 1st innings total: 143
Average 2nd innings total: 155
Highest total recorded: 199/5 England vs Pakistan (Overall)
Lowest total recorded: 103 by NZ vs ENG (Overall)
MO vs TR Head-to-Head
Both teams have faced each other four times in The Hundred. However, Trent Rickets have an upper hand winning three encounters while Manchester Originals suffered one loss against the Rockets
MO vs TR Conditions-based Predictions
- The pitch at Emirates Old Trafford is generally considered balanced, offering equal opportunities for both batsmen and bowlers.
- Early in the game, bowlers might find some movement with the new ball, which could pose a challenge for the batsmen.
- However, if the batsmen can navigate through this initial phase, they have the potential to score big runs.
LS vs BP Top Players Predictions
Phil Salt (MO): Phil Salt had a rough start in the first game, dismissed for a two-ball duck. Despite this setback, he is recognized as one of the most dangerous batters in modern-day cricket. Salt will be eager to bounce back strongly in the upcoming The Hundred match. If he can get off to a good start, it will likely put Manchester Originals in a strong position, as his ability to score freely can significantly impact the game.
Fazalhaq Farooqi (MO): Afghanistan’s seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi was in excellent form during the recent T20 World Cup. Farooqi can be particularly challenging for right-handed batters because he can swing the new ball at good speeds. His effectiveness with the new ball will be crucial for Manchester Originals, as early breakthroughs could set the tone for the match.
Alex Hales (TR): Alex Hales has been an outstanding opening batter, both for England and in franchise cricket. He is a key player at the top of the order for Trent Rockets. In The Hundred, Hales has accumulated 538 runs in 26 matches, boasting a strike rate of nearly 141. His ability to provide strong starts will be crucial for the Rockets in setting competitive totals or chasing down targets.
MO vs TR Hit or Miss Prediction
Sikandar Raza (TR): The Zimbabwean skipper has built a reputation as a versatile all-rounder, excelling with both bat and ball. Known for his effective wrist spin and powerful hitting, Raza is a key player who can bring momentum to the middle order, adept at handling both spin and pace. He is also a valuable spin option and a capable fielder. However, his recent performances in T20s and T20Is haven’t been up to his usual standards. Despite this, Raza’s skill set makes him a crucial player who can lead his team to victory in The Hundred.
MO vs TR Match Predictions
The Manchester Originals have a great batting line up with the in-form Phil Salt wreaking havoc lately. Although he failed to fire in the last The Hundred game, he is expected to score over 23.5 runs (1.85). Being known for powerful hitting, Old Trafford is known for huge individual score and the highest individual score is expected to be over 61.5 (1.85)
MO vs TR Winner Predictions
Manchester Originals had a rough start to the season, being bowled out for just 86 runs against Welsh Fire. They’ll be eager to bounce back and secure a win to regain momentum. In contrast, Trent Rockets had an impressive first game, defeating Northern Superchargers by 47 runs. Both teams boast balanced squads with numerous players capable of making significant contributions. However, Trent Rockets are slightly favored to win this contest, given their strong opening performance.
