We are finally into the much-anticipated 5th edition of the Women’s Hundred 2025. The 4th season champions, London Spirit, are out to defend their maiden title under a new and young leader in Charlie Dean, in the absence of their title-winning skipper, Heather Knight, as she has been ruled out of the summer due to a groin injury. However, she’ll be there with the side in the dug-out as a mentor. The Spirit were up against the two-time champions, Oval Invincibles, in the tournament opener at the iconic Lord’s, London, in the 5th edition of the tournament.
Grace Harris – Cordelia Griffith show powers London to record 176 total
The Oval Invincibles skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill won the toss and opted to bowl first. The home side got off to a poor start as they lost their experienced opening batter, Georgia Redmayne, for a 6-ball duck courtesy of a probing opening spell from the veteran Marizanne Kapp, eventually having the last laugh, providing the first breakthrough for her side.
Cordelia Griffith joined Kira Chathli at the crease, and the duo switched gears with a much-needed 32-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Sophia Smale broke the stand, by sending Kira Chathli (19 off 14 balls) back to the pavilion to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the Invincibles. Grace Harris joined Cordelia Griffith at the crease and carried the momentum forward with a massive 100-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. It is also the highest-ever partnership for the London Spirit for any wicket. The partnership took them closer to the 150-run mark.
Tash Farrant broke the ominous stand by sending Cordelia Griffith (50 off 29 balls) back to the pavilion. She completed her well-deserved half-century before getting dismissed. Grace Harris provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 89* (42 balls), scoring at a strike rate of 211.9. Her knock included 7 boundaries and 6 maximums. London Spirit posted a massive total of 176/5 in their quota of 100 deliveries. It is also their highest total in the competition.
Marizanne Kapp (20-8-23-2), Tash Farrant (20-4-39-2), and Sophia Smale (15-3-27-1) were impressive with the ball for the Oval Invincibles.
Meg Lanning’s 85 in vain as Spirit held their nerve to win the London Derby
Chasing a mountainous total of 177, Tara Norris provided the defending champions with an ideal start, sending the opposition skipper, Lauren Winfield-Hill, for a two-ball duck on the 2nd ball of the run chase. Alice Capsey joined Meg Lanning at the crease, and the duo assessed the conditions en route to their much-needed 37-run partnership for the 2nd wicket.
Marizanne Kapp joined Meg Lanning at the crease, and the pair switched gears. Lanning joined the party to infuse the momentum into the run-chase after getting off to a scratchy start. The Invincibles crossed the 100-run mark, courtesy of a crucial 77-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Issy Wong cleaned up Marizanne Kapp (33 off 21 balls) to provide the 3rd breakthrough for the London Spirit.
Paige Scholfield joined Meg Lanning at the crease, and Lanning brought all her experience to the fore as she hit top gear, keeping the Invincibles in the hunt in the chase, en route to their 37-run stand. Issy Wong returned and scripted the departure of Lanning (85 off 51 balls), threatening to take the game away from the London Spirit. The Charlie Dean-led side managed to hold their nerve to seal the London Derby by 17 runs. Alice Capsey (22 off 13 balls) played her part with the bat for Oval Invincibles.
Issy Wong (20-8-26-2) and Tara Norris (10-7-3-1) were the standout performers with the ball for London Spirit. Sarah Glenn (20-5-28-1) and Charli Knott (15-1-20-0) played their part with the ball for her side. Grace Harris was awarded the Player of the Match for her swashbuckling knock (89* off 42 balls) with the bat for her side.
Loves all things female cricket