BOLTON cricketer Matt Parkinson believes The Hundred could provide a further shop window for his talents as he looks to press for a place in England's squad for the T20 World Cup.

The 24-year-old leg spinner has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season with Lancashire but has also suffered the disappointment of being unable to add to his two T20 and two ODI caps for England after being left out of the squads for both the New Zealand Test series and the current T20 match up with Sri Lanka.

Parkinson was speaking at the unveiling of a striking new work of street art which has been commissioned by Manchester Originals ahead of the launch of The Hundred - the brand-new 100-ball cricket competition where Parkinson's Originals will compete against seven other new teams in men’s and women’s competitions.

The artwork by AkseP19, which took seven days to complete and is on on Barlow Hall Road in Chorlton, is the latest by the Manchester-based artist who has created spectacular portrayals of George Floyd, Sir Captain Tom Moore and Marcus Rashford across the city.

Parkinson said: "To be drafted for my local team in the inaugural competition is really special. We have some amazing players throughout the side and the wider competition, every game is set to be must-see.

“The mural AkseP19 has created is incredible. It’s quite surreal seeing yourself up on the wall like that, but as a local lad, I’m proud to be representing the Manchester Originals, both on the pitch and as part of this mural. I can’t wait to get started.”

Adding extra tension to proceedings for Parkinson is that he will be facing his twin brother, Callum, in the competition as he turns out for Leeds-based Northern Superchargers – the sibling rivalry will play out on July 28 at Emirates Old Trafford.

“It’s already going to be a great competition and the opportunity to face my brother in a match will just add to that experience," he said. "I just want the competition to start now as you can feel the buzz building.

"I don't think it will be radically different from The Blast but obviously it will be a shorter game and faster paced. I think losing those 20 balls will be a massive difference with batters coming at you harder and teams not knowing to start with what a good score is.

"It's still just cricket but the format will make a massive difference and the teams that prepare well and learn quickly will be the ones that do well."

Parkinson has taken 24 wickets already in the County Championship and made headlines back in April when one of his dismissal of Northampton's Adam Rossington was compared to Shane Warne's famous 'Ball of the Century' which removed Mike Gatting.

"I'm very pleased," he said. "The red ball cricket has gone well and I probably didn't think I'd do what I have done after not playing in the first game against Sussex has been fantastic.

"For the team to be top with two games of the group stage to go is great and I've managed to carry that form into The Blast. I've had a couple of games I've not been pleased with but to get 10 wickets is good and hopefully I can take that form into The Hundred."

Parkinson has endured a strange relationship with the England set up over the last 12 months after spending a summer in the squad's Covid-19 bubble before a winter carrying the drinks in Sri Lanka and India.

And with captain Joe Root seemingly reluctant to put his trust in a frontline spinner it remains unclear quite where Parkinson stands in the slow bowling hierarchy with rivals Dom Bess and Jack Leach similarly frustrated.

"I'm gutted to have not been selected in the squad for Sri Lanka," he said. "I don't think I could've done much more. My red ball form is good and I think I've shown that I did make improvements in Sri Lanka and India.

"I'm not too disappointed not to be selected for the Tests because I'm probably more focused on getting selected for Lancashire in the longer format but with regards the T20 I'm gutted.

"The main thing for me remains being able to play cricket and doing well which I am doing. I can't really look too far ahead and obviously The Hundred will be a massive tournament for me with the World T20 coming up.

"I'm pleased with the season I'm having and fingers crossed it continues."

Manchester Originals’ first home game of The Hundred will take place at Emirates Old Trafford against Birmingham Phoenix on July 25 by which time Parkinson may have served further notice of his skills in both formats of the game.

"Playing at Emirates Old Trafford will be fantastic and my main aim is to use The Hundred as a stepping stone to further honours," he added.