A riveting contest unfolded in The Hundred Women’s tournament as London Spirit took on Oval Invincibles in a fiercely contested encounter.
Batting first, London Spirit faced early setbacks with Niamh Holland’s swift dismissal for a duck, bowled by Marizanne Kapp. Danielle Gibson stepped up, contributing a quickfire 22 runs from 14 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals.
The Spirit’s skipper, Heather Knight, chipped in with 10 runs, but the team struggled to build momentum. Sarah Glenn and Tara Norris showcased some resistance towards the end, scoring 17 and 11 runs respectively. Despite their efforts, the Spirit managed a total of 118/9 in their allotted 100 balls.
The Invincibles’ bowling attack was led by Marizanne Kapp (2/13), Mady Villiers (2/20), Ryana MacDonald (2/25) and Sophia Smale (2/15), who picked up crucial wickets and maintained a disciplined approach to restrict the Spirit’s scoring opportunities.
Nailbiter at Southampton as they clinch a thrilling win by just 3 Runs.
Birmingham Phoenix now lose their fifth in a row this season.#CricketTwitter #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/LeG1gS1Wtz
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) August 16, 2023
In pursuit of 119 runs for victory, the Oval Invincibles faced a challenging task against a determined Spirit bowling attack. Suzie Bates held the innings together with a patient knock of 24 runs from 35 balls, while Marizanne Kapp’s contribution of 30 runs from 24 balls was pivotal in keeping the scoreboard ticking.
However, the Spirit bowlers, led by Danielle Gibson and Charlie Dean (2/20), struck at regular intervals to keep the pressure on the Invincibles. The target remained within reach, but the Invincibles fell just short of the mark, finishing their innings at 97 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. The Spirit’s bowling efforts were well-supported by the fielding unit, with several run-outs adding to the pressure.
Amelia Kerr’s bowling brilliance stood out for the Spirit, as she secured three crucial wickets while conceding only 16 runs in her 20 balls. Her spell played a significant role in keeping the Invincibles in check.
In a thrilling encounter, London Spirit emerged victorious by 21 runs, showcasing their combined bowling and fielding prowess. The Spirit’s collective effort, led by their bowlers and strengthened by disciplined fielding, proved to be the decisive factor in securing the win.
Tara Norris was adjudged the player of the match for her all-round fantabulous performance of 11*(13) and (2/19) with the ball