Southern Brave Women emerged triumphant in the Women’s Hundred final, defeating Northern Superchargers Women in a compelling showdown at Lord’s on August 27. The victory marked a momentous achievement for the Brave, breaking the streak of two consecutive final losses in 2021 and 2022. The win was especially meaningful as it marked a fitting farewell for veteran cricketer Anya Shrubsole.
The final commenced with dramatic flair as Smriti Mandhana, opening the innings for the Brave, struck a boundary but was caught off Grace Ballinger’s bowling on the very next delivery. Kate Cross further dented the Brave’s progress by dismissing Maia Bouchier, leaving the team in an early predicament. However, Georgia Adams partnered with Dani Wyatt to steady the innings. Wyatt’s aggressive approach yielded a notable 38-ball 59, complemented by Adams’ anchoring role as she scored 27 off 28 balls. Their crucial partnership of 87 runs set the foundation, followed by a late boost provided by Freya Kemp’s brisk 31 off 17 balls. The Brave concluded their innings at 139 for 6 in a hundred balls, with Kate Cross showcasing remarkable bowling prowess by taking three wickets and contributing a crucial runout.
In response, the Superchargers began their chase on an unfortunate note, as opener Marie Kelly fell for a duck to Lauren Bell. Bell continued to make an impact by dismissing Phoebe Litchfield, and the Superchargers faced early setbacks. While Jemimah Rodrigues showed resilience with 24 runs, the middle order grappled with building substantial partnerships. Kalea Moore and Lauren Bell combined to secure six wickets, mounting pressure on the Superchargers. The turning point arrived when Rodrigues departed, leaving the team with a challenging requirement of 62 runs from 27 balls. The Superchargers’ batting order crumbled, culminating in a comprehensive victory for the Southern Brave Women.
The final scores highlighted Southern Brave’s dominance, securing victory with a margin of 34 runs. Danielle Wyatt’s impactful innings and the combined bowling efforts, led by Kalea Moore and Lauren Bell, propelled the Brave to a well-deserved triumph in the Women’s Hundred final.