SWOT Analysis: Southern Brave Women’s Squad 2025 – Schedule and Key Players to Watch

Southern Brave have been one of the most consistent sides in The Hundred, reaching the final in each of the competition’s first three seasons. Despite falling short against Oval Invincibles in the first two finals, they finally clinched the title on their third attempt. However, their fortunes took a sharp turn last season as the defending champions finished at the bottom of the table with just one win, marking a disappointing campaign by any measure.

With a new season approaching, the one-time champions will be aiming to put last year’s struggles behind them and mount a strong challenge for the title once again.

The team boasts a strong lineup of experienced batters with international pedigree, which will be crucial if they are to lift the trophy again. Leading the top order are seasoned England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt.

Wyatt-Hodge has been a standout performer for Southern Brave, playing all four seasons for the franchise. She has scored 907 runs at an average of nearly 30, with a strike rate close to 135. Her match-winning half-century in the 2023 final earned her the Player of the Match award. Despite the team’s poor showing in 2024, she was the fourth-highest run-scorer in the competition. Recently, she impressed with two quickfire fifties in England’s T20I series against India and has continued to show strong form for Surrey in domestic cricket.

Although Sophie Devine’s recent form might raise a few concerns for the team, her vast experience remains invaluable. Beyond her all-round abilities, she also brings strong leadership qualities that will be a significant asset to the squad. Form can return at any time, and as a proven match-winner, she has the potential to be a serious threat to opponents if she finds her rhythm.

For the upcoming season, Southern Brave has brought in the South African skipper, who previously played for Manchester Originals. She scored 215 runs last season and finished sixth in the overall batting charts. She will be keen to carry that form into this campaign, building on her strong performances in the recent ODI series against the West Indies. Her presence at the top of the order will be key to the Brave’s chances this season.

Lauren Bell, the England international fast bowler, is another key figure in the squad and will spearhead the pace attack. Known for her ability to strike early with the new ball, she adds a crucial edge to the bowling unit. In the recent T20I series against India, she stood out as the only English bowler to make a significant impact, claiming six wickets across the series.

However, Southern Brave lean heavily on the experience and consistency of Laura Wolvaardt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Sophie Devine for runs. If the top order fails early, it could expose weaknesses in the batting lineup and leave the team vulnerable to collapses. While Maia Bouchier and Georgia Adams have shown potential, others like young Phoebe Turner and Amara Carr lack significant T20 experience at this level, which could become a concern when facing stronger, more disciplined bowling attacks.

Beyond Lauren Bell and Phoebe Graham, the pace bowling depth in the squad appears limited. With Freya Kemp primarily featuring as an all-rounder, the team could find itself short on specialist fast bowlers. Any injury setbacks or off-days for Bell could place significant pressure on the bowling unit, potentially affecting the team’s ability to control opposition batters in key phases of the game.

Laura Wolvaardt, Sophie Devine, and Chloe Tryon are crucial overseas players for Southern Brave, bringing experience and firepower to the squad. However, the upcoming World Cup could lead to their absence during important stages of the tournament. Such unavailability may disrupt team balance and force the Brave to rely on less experienced replacements in high-pressure matches.

However, young talents like Freya Kemp, Josie Groves, Phoebe Turner, and Tilly Corteen‑Coleman add energy and strong domestic form to the Southern Brave squad. Freya Kemp, for example, was named PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year in 2022 and has continued to impress with both bat and ball for Sussex. Their presence provides valuable depth and could play a key role if called upon during the season.

Key players like Lauren Bell and Freya Kemp have experienced injury issues in the past. Any setbacks this season could disrupt the team’s balance, particularly with the limited depth available in pace bowling.

As 2023 champions and consistent finalists, Southern Brave entered the new season with high expectations. This pressure could affect performance, especially among younger players such as Tilly Corteen‑Coleman and Josie Groves during high-pressure matches.

The Hundred’s unique 100-ball format can lead to unpredictable outcomes. Opposing teams that adapt well tactically, especially through clever use of spin or pace early in the innings, could take advantage of Southern Brave’s weaknesses.

Southern Brave Women’s Squad, The Hundred 2025:

Laura Wolvaardt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Maia Bouchier, Lauren Bell, Freya Kemp, Georgia Adams, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Rhianna Southby, Sophie Devine, Chloe Tryon, Mady Villiers, Josie Groves, Phoebe Graham, Phoebe Turner, Amara Carr

Southern Brave Women’s Schedule, The Hundred 2025:

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