The two-time runner-up will hope to cross the finishing line this time. They will play their first match against the Trent Rockets in a repeat of last year’s eliminator. Coached by the legend Charlotte Edwards who recently led Mumbai Indians to their maiden title in the inaugural Women’s Premier League, they will hope to go one step further.
In the tournament’s short history, they have lost just two of their league matches out of the 14. They reached finals in both the editions and in the two finals, they were blown away by Marizanne Kapp’s player of the match performance. They always had one of the best talent mixes, from the internationals as well as from the domestic circuits.
Southern Brave retained their Indian star, the world number three batter Smriti Mandhana along with the English speedster Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, and the budding pace bowling all-rounder Freya Kemp. They used their right-to-match card on the experienced Danni Wyatt.
The Brave also picked Anya Shrubsole in the draft and she will lead the pace attack. They increased their batting depths and bowling options after drafting the South African power-hitting all-rounder Chloe Tryon and the Australian pace-bowling all-rounder Maitlan Brown. They lost Sophia Dunkley and Amanda Jade Wellington in the draft and will hope that their new addition will provide them with the required performances.
Their uncapped player, Georgia Adams is a certain player to be followed thoroughly courtesy of her brilliant domestic season with over 249 runs and 10 wickets in the Charlotte Edwards (CE) Cup. Her all-around ability makes her an asset. Lauren Bell along with Anya Shrubsole are expected to give them a dreamy opening spell and they will be aided by the spin trio of Tryon, Adams, and the leggie Danielle Gregory who picked 7 wickets from 6 innings at an impressive average of 15.
The U19 star, Seren Smale is a wicketkeeper batter and she played just 4 matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint (RHF) trophy and she scored 131 runs. A mixture of domestic as well as international stars makes their case stronger for a successful run.
Squad:
Smriti Mandhana, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Freya Kemp, Danni Wyatt, Anya Shrubsole (C), Chloe Tryon, Maitlan Brown, Georgia Adams, Rhianna Southby, Danielle Gregory, Kalea Moore, Seren Smale, Ellie Anderson, Mary Taylor
Southern Brave Schedule for Women’s Hundred 2023:
| DATE | OPPOSITION | VENUE | TIME (BST) |
| 01-Aug-2023 | Trent Rockets | Trent Bridge | 15:00 |
| 04-Aug-2023 | Welsh Fire | Ageas Bowl | 15:00 |
| 06-Aug-2023 | Northern Superchargers | Ageas Bowl | 11:00 |
| 08-Aug-2023 | London Spirit | Lords | 15:00 |
| 12-Aug-2023 | Welsh Fire | Sophia Gardens | 14:30 |
| 16-Aug-2023 | Birmingham Phoenix | Ageas Bowl | 15:00 |
| 19-Aug-2023 | Oval Invincibles | Ageas Bowl | 14:30 |
| 23-Aug-2023 | Manchester Originals | Old Trafford | 15:00 |
Players to watch out:
“The first one is Freya Kemp, definitely. She’s been unlucky with her recent injury, but she’s looking very, very good in the nets. Also Maia Bouchier, she’s come on leaps and bounds over the last 12 months,” said star English opener Danni Wyatt.
Freya Kemp
The 18-year-old pace bowling all-rounder has already made a world record with her unbeaten 51 against India, which is the highest by any batter at number 7 position. Her short T20I career consists of 8 wickets at an average of 18.6 and 52 runs from just the innings. She is well on her way to becoming the next big thing in English cricket.
Maia Bouchier
She comes under the category of one of those batters who has improved on her strike rate, in the CE Cup she accumulated 191 runs at an SR of 139. To add to her tally, she carried her form in the RHF trophy as well, where she scored 256 runs from just 6 innings. She has been a consistent run scorer and the Brave will hope for similar performances from her.
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