In a nail-biting contest in The Hundred Women’s Competition 2026, MI London Women held their nerve to register a dramatic three-run victory over London Spirit Women at Lord’s. The contest swung several times, with both sides producing impactful partnerships, disciplined bowling spells, and crucial breakthroughs. While the batting innings was anchored by a sensational unbeaten knock from Melie Kerr, the chase witnessed determined resistance from Nadine de Klerk and Marizanne Kapp, but MI London’s bowlers delivered at the decisive moments to defend 122/9, restricting London Spirit to 119/8 after 100 balls.
MI London endured an unsettled start after opting to bat, losing Hayley Matthews for 2 with only five runs on the board as Marizanne Kapp struck early. Kira Chathli briefly counter-attacked with 7 from 10 balls, adding 8 runs with Matthews for the opening stand before contributing 8 more alongside Hollie Armitage, taking the score to 13/2. However, Katie George removed Chathli, and Charlie Dean soon dismissed captain Hollie Armitage for 6, leaving MI London struggling at 23/3. The pressure intensified when Nicola Carey was trapped lbw by Dean without scoring, making it 23/4 after just 33 balls. Alice Monaghan also failed to get going, departing for a duck as Dean claimed her third wicket, reducing the innings to 23/5.
At that stage, London Spirit’s bowlers appeared firmly in control, with Kapp, George and Dean exploiting every opportunity. The momentum shifted through a magnificent rescue act from Melie Kerr and Chinelle Henry. The duo stitched together a game-changing 34-run partnership for the sixth wicket, with Henry playing the aggressor before falling for an entertaining 22 off 15 balls, including one four and two sixes. Kerr, meanwhile, remained composed and gradually accelerated. After Henry’s dismissal at 57/6, Alice Davidson-Richards added a useful 7 runs before departing for 2, making it 60/7.
Kerr continued to fight, sharing another 20-run stand with Tara Norris before Norris fell for a duck. Kirstie Gordon then contributed a valuable 3 during a 12-run partnership, while Kerr remained unbeaten throughout. Supported by Alexa Stonehouse, who stayed 1 not out, Kerr finished with a stunning 69* off 41 deliveries, smashing five boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of 168.29. Her innings lifted MI London to 122/9 from 100 balls after they had looked destined for a much smaller total.
London Spirit’s bowling attack delivered disciplined performances despite Kerr’s heroics. Charlie Dean was the standout performer with 3 for 26 from 20 balls. Hannah Rainey claimed 2 for 12, while Marizanne Kapp finished with 1 for 16, providing the early breakthrough. Katie George bowled economically for 1 for 15, and Nadine de Klerk also chipped in with 2 for 32. Lucy Higham remained wicketless but completed her short spell.
Chasing 123, London Spirit started briskly as Grace Harris struck a boundary before falling for 4 with the score at 4/1, caught by Chinelle Henry off Nicola Carey. Amy Jones and Marie Kelly rebuilt with a 10-run stand, but Kelly departed for 6, leaving the score at 14/2. Jones then combined with Marizanne Kapp in a productive 22-run partnership, moving Spirit to 36/3, before Amy Jones fell for 9 to Alexa Stonehouse. Kapp continued confidently and added 15 runs with captain Charlie Dean, who made 9 before Nicola Carey struck again.
The crucial partnership of the chase came through Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk, who added 48 runs for the fifth wicket, bringing London Spirit firmly back into contention. Kapp contributed a fighting 34 from 28 balls before becoming Melie Kerr’s only wicket, while de Klerk carried the chase with 35 off 29 deliveries, hitting three fours and a six. After Kapp’s dismissal at 93/5, Charis Pavely added only 5 before falling, while Katie George remained unbeaten on 1. Deandra Dottin’s late cameo of 11 from six balls, featuring two boundaries, kept Spirit alive until the final ball, but a run-out ended their hopes as they finished on 119/8, just three runs short.
MI London’s bowlers combined superbly under pressure to defend the target. Nicola Carey led the attack with 2 for 30, removing Grace Harris and Charlie Dean at important stages. Hayley Matthews also claimed 2 for 21, dismissing Nadine de Klerk and Charis Pavely to break Spirit’s momentum. Kirstie Gordon bowled tightly for 1 for 20, Tara Norris picked up 1 for 18, Alexa Stonehouse removed Amy Jones with an economical spell of 1 for 3, and Melie Kerr added the prized wicket of Marizanne Kapp while conceding just 20 runs.
The collective bowling effort ensured MI London successfully defended their modest total, with Kerr’s all-round influence proving decisive in one of the most thrilling finishes of The Hundred Women’s Competition.
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