The Hundred Women’s Competition 2026 is now moving towards its final stage, with the top teams preparing for the knockout matches. Southern Brave have once again made it to the knockouts and will be hoping to win the title this season. Led by Sophie Molineux, the team has had a strong campaign with five wins from seven matches. They have also faced two tough defeats in their last two games, which will give them a few things to work on before the eliminator. With the biggest matches of the season now ahead, Southern Brave will be looking to bring their best cricket when it matters most.
A Confident Start at Southampton Set the Tone
Southern Brave started their campaign with a home match against Welsh Fire in Southampton on July 22. Defending a target in the first match of a tournament can bring pressure, but the Brave handled the situation well. They restricted Welsh Fire to 118/8 and won the match by 8 runs. The bowlers kept things under control in the final stages and did not allow Welsh Fire to get close to the target. It was a good start for Sophie Molineux’s side and gave them confidence for the matches that followed. The win also showed that the team could stay calm in a close game.
The Brave continued their winning run when they travelled to Leeds on July 25 to face Sunrisers Leeds. They chased down the target and won by 5 wickets with 4 balls remaining, giving themselves two wins from their first two games. They then returned to Southampton on July 27 for another close match against Melbourne Innovation. Southern Brave defended 126/7 and managed to win by just 1 run. Three wins in a row gave the team a strong start to the competition. More importantly, the early results showed that Southern Brave could find ways to win even when the matches went down to the final few balls.
Mid-Season Tests Exposed Areas That Needed Improvement
Southern Brave kept their good run going with another strong performance against Birmingham Phoenix on July 30. Playing at home in Southampton, they scored 140/3 from their 100 balls and then restricted Birmingham Phoenix to 116/5. The Brave won by 24 runs after controlling the match with both bat and ball. Their batters gave the team a good total, while the bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the chase. It was one of the more comfortable wins of their campaign and showed how well the team could perform when all departments worked together.
The team then travelled to Lord’s on August 1 and produced another good performance against London Spirit. Southern Brave chased down 115 with 5 wickets and 7 balls remaining to make it five wins in a row. However, their winning run came to an end on August 3 in Cardiff when Welsh Fire beat them by 4 wickets off the final ball. The Brave then suffered another defeat on August 8, losing to Manchester Super Giants by 27 runs in Southampton. These two defeats came towards the end of the league stage and showed that Southern Brave still have a few areas to improve before the knockouts.
The recent results may not have been what Southern Brave wanted, but the team had already done enough during the earlier part of the competition to secure a place in the knockout stage. Their five wins from seven matches gave them a strong overall record and showed how well they had performed for most of the league stage. The two losses also give the players a chance to look at what went wrong before the eliminator. The team will now need to put those results behind them and focus on the next match. A strong start and better execution in key moments will be important in the knockout game.
Standout Performers Driving the Brave Forward
Several players have played an important role in Southern Brave’s successful campaign so far. At the top of the batting order, Laura Wolvaardt has been one of the team’s most reliable players, scoring 197 runs in 7 matches. Her ability to stay at the crease and build an innings has given the Brave a solid start in several games. Maia Bouchier has also made a useful contribution with 147 runs, providing more attacking options in the batting order. With the knockout stage coming up, the team will once again look towards both batters to give them a strong start.
Jemimah Rodrigues was another important performer for Southern Brave earlier in the tournament. She scored 143 runs at a strike rate of 131.19 and won back-to-back Player of the Match awards. Her performances gave the middle order plenty of confidence and helped the team during the first part of the competition. However, her campaign came to an early end after she suffered a hamstring injury. Her absence is a big setback for the Brave, especially with the team now entering the knockout stage. Other batters will have to take more responsibility in her absence.
Southern Brave brought in Australian all-rounder Charli Knott as an injury replacement for Rodrigues. Knott gives the team another option with both bat and ball and can help maintain the balance of the playing XI. She also brings international experience and has the ability to contribute in different situations. While replacing a player like Rodrigues is difficult, Knott gives Southern Brave another quality player to choose from. Her role could become important if the eliminator goes down to the final stages and the team needs contributions from more than one department.
The bowling attack has also been a major strength for Southern Brave this season. Captain Sophie Molineux has led the bowling unit well and has taken 11 wickets at an economy rate of 5.61. Young spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman has also picked up 11 wickets, giving the team another strong option in the middle overs. Issy Wong has taken 8 wickets, while Lauren Bell adds more pace and experience to the attack. With different bowling options available, Southern Brave have the players needed to put pressure on opposition batters. Their bowlers will have a big role to play when the team enters the eliminator.
International Experience Kept Players Ready for Pressure
Several important Southern Brave players have also gained valuable experience from international cricket before and during the domestic season. Players such as Laura Wolvaardt and Maia Bouchier have faced strong bowling attacks and difficult match situations at the international level. That experience can help them stay calm when the pressure is high during an important knockout game. They also understand how to manage their innings when the team needs runs quickly or when wickets are falling. Southern Brave will hope their international experience can make a difference when the team needs it most.
Players such as Sophie Molineux and Sarah Glenn have also had the chance to play against high-quality opposition during their international commitments. These matches have helped them work on their bowling plans and understand how to deal with different types of batters. Their experience can be useful in the eliminator, where one good spell can change the direction of a match. The senior players will also have a role in helping the younger members of the squad deal with the pressure. Southern Brave will need their experienced players to lead from the front during the knockout stage.
A Balanced Squad Gives Southern Brave Plenty of Confidence
Southern Brave have a squad that brings together experienced international players and young players who have shown good potential during the season. This gives Sophie Molineux several options when choosing the playing XI for different conditions. The team has strong batting options at the top, experienced all-rounders in the middle and a bowling attack with both pace and spin. This balance has helped the Brave compete well throughout the league stage. It could also become important in the knockout matches, where teams need players who can handle different situations.
Captain Sophie Molineux remains an important player for the side because she can contribute with both bat and ball. Laura Wolvaardt provides stability at the top, while Maia Bouchier can score quickly and put pressure on the opposition. Lizelle Lee gives the team another aggressive batting option, while wicketkeeper Rebecca Odgers adds balance to the side. The Brave also have players who can take the game forward in the middle overs and finish an innings strongly. With several players capable of making an impact, the batting unit has enough depth going into the eliminator.
The bowling department also gives Southern Brave plenty of choices. Lauren Bell and Issy Wong provide pace, while Tilly Corteen-Coleman and Sarah Glenn offer quality spin options. Ellie Anderson and Daisy Gibb add further depth to the bowling group and give the captain more options during different stages of a match. Having different types of bowlers can be useful when conditions change or when the opposition has a strong batting line-up. Southern Brave will need this variety to work in their favour when they face a tough opponent in the knockout stage.
Can Southern Brave Reclaim the Trophy?
Southern Brave have played 7 matches in the 2026 competition, winning 5 and losing 2 to secure their place in the eliminator. Their two recent defeats have shown that the team still has areas that need improvement, but their overall campaign has been strong. Five wins from seven matches is a good record and shows how well the Brave performed during most of the league stage. They have also shown that they can win both close matches and games where they are clearly ahead. The main challenge now will be to bring that same level of performance into the knockout stage.
Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds and Trent Rockets will also be looking to challenge for the title. All three teams have strong players and will be difficult opponents in the knockout stage. Southern Brave cannot depend on their earlier results and will have to start again when the eliminator begins. The recent losses could also help the team understand the areas where they need to improve before the big game. If the players can learn from those defeats and perform better in important moments, they will have a good chance of moving closer to the final.
If Sophie Molineux’s team can return to the form they showed at the start of the season, they will have a strong chance of going further in the competition. Their batting has enough experience to build or chase a good total, while the bowling attack has several players who can take wickets at important times. The squad also has enough depth to deal with pressure situations and changes during a match. However, the team will need to stay focused and avoid giving their opponents easy chances. Southern Brave have already shown that they can compete with the best, and now they will be hoping to produce their best performance when it matters most.
Southern Brave Road to The Hundred Eliminator 2026 Fixtures
July 22, 2026: Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire – Southampton (Won by 8 runs)
July 25, 2026: Southern Brave vs Sunrisers Leeds – Leeds (Won by 5 wickets)
July 27, 2026: Southern Brave vs Melbourne Innovation – Southampton (Won by 1 run)
July 30, 2026: Southern Brave vs Birmingham Phoenix – Southampton (Won by 24 runs)
August 1, 2026: Southern Brave vs London Spirit – Lord’s (Won by 5 wickets)
August 3, 2026: Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire – Cardiff (Lost by 4 wickets)
August 8, 2026: Southern Brave vs Manchester Super Giants – Southampton (Lost by 27 runs)
August 10, 2026: Trent Rockets vs Southern Brave – Nottingham
August 14, 2026: Eliminator (D/N) – TBA (Reserve Day included)
August 16, 2026: Final (D/N) – TBA (Reserve Day included, if qualified)
Southern Brave Squad for The Hundred 2026
Sophie Molineux (C), Laura Wolvaardt, Maia Bouchier, Lizelle Lee, Phoebe Franklin, Rebecca Odgers (WK), Charli Knott (Injury Replacement), Naomi Dattani, Katherine Fraser, Sarah Glenn, Jodi Grewcock, Ellie Anderson, Lauren Bell, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Daisy Gibb, Issy Wong
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