In Match no. 22 of The Hundred 2025, Northern Superchargers dismantled London Spirit with a dominant all-round display, registering an emphatic eight-wicket victory with 34 balls to spare.
It was a game where Spirit’s batters never got going and posted just 90/8 at the end of the first innings, and the Superchargers’ batting pair of Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland ensured a smooth chase despite a minor wobble early on.
Asked to bat first, the London Spirit made a dreadful start. Kira Chathli fell for a duck in the 8th ball of the innings, caught off Grace Ballinger, before Cordelia Griffith (1 off 4) was sent back soon after, leaving Spirit 9/2. Georgia Redmayne attempted to stabilise with a patient 29 from 29 balls, hitting three boundaries, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end.
Charli Knott (11 off 16) was caught off Annabel Sutherland, and Grace Harris (7 off 6) was removed by Nicola Carey, as Spirit slipped further into trouble. The collapse deepened when Danielle Gibson (0) fell to Carey and Redmayne’s vigil ended at 65/5. Even captain Charlie Dean (12 off 15) and Sarah Glenn (0) could not rebuild, both departing to Sutherland.
Spirit limped to 90/8 from their full quota, saved only by a handy 24* off 24 from Issy Wong at the back end. The score reflected the control of the Superchargers’ bowlers—Sutherland (3/20 in 20 balls) was the standout, well supported by Ballinger (2/12), Carey (2/17) and Cross (1/20), while Linsey Smith (0/19 in 20) bowled tightly to keep the pressure on.
In reply, Northern Superchargers were rocked early by Bex Tyson, who sent back both the openers. She dismissed Alice Davidson-Richards for 0 and then removed Davina Perrin for 4, leaving the chase at 17/2 after 16 balls. But from there, the match turned into a one-sided procession.
Phoebe Litchfield played with typical fluency, crafting a sparkling 55 not out from 38 balls, decorated with 10 boundaries. She was well backed by Annabel Sutherland, who capped her all-round performance with a brisk 29 not out from 21 balls (1 four, 1 six). The pair added an unbeaten 76-run partnership, ensuring Superchargers reached 93/2 in just 66 balls.
For London Spirit, Tyson’s 2/6 from 10 balls was the only silver lining in an otherwise forgettable bowling effort. Wong (0/26), Dean (0/13), Glenn (0/22), Gray (0/11), and Knott (0/12) all struggled to contain Litchfield and Sutherland once they settled.
In the end, it was a thoroughly professional performance by Northern Superchargers—clinical with the ball, and dominant with the bat. Sutherland’s three wickets and unbeaten 29, along with Litchfield’s commanding half-century, sealed a victory that was never in doubt once the opening hiccup was overcome. London Spirit, meanwhile, were left to rue another batting collapse that left their bowlers with too little to defend.
Loves all things female cricket