‘Southern Brave’ v ‘Northern Superchargers’, Southampton (Ageas Bowl) on 7th August
Receiving ‘Hero-of-the-match’ from Rob Key, Sophia Dunkley was congratulated on her ‘good summer’ (with the bat.) She said the match-winning ‘pressure helped.’ She added that partner Maia Bouchier ‘did a great job.’ Commentators added that both players ‘strike rates’ were 1.7 runs-per-ball, comfortably above the target set to win. ‘Brave’s’ win takes them three points clear of ‘Superchargers’ (their nearest rivals)
Before the match, ‘Northern Superchargers’ skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill told Rob Key she was playing with Rachel Slater (for Phoebe Graham.) ‘Southern Brave’ skipper was playing with Tara Norris for (Charlotte Taylor.) Both teams had suffered one loss before the match. Only 2 days ago, ‘Brave’ narrowly lost to the Manchester weather, their previous wins bagged four ‘Match Heros’- one from each win. Adding Sophia Dunkley’s award makes five. For ‘Superchargers,’ Jemimah Rodrigues tops the batting leader-board for cumulative runs (241, having added 18); and is the only play to have been awarded twice. Commenting on ‘Superchargers’ most memorable recent win, ‘Bumble’ Lloyd had humourouly told viewers that ‘Invincibles’ (as losers) needed “an inquest into how they messed-up” (i.e.: allowing ‘Superchargers’ last-ball win)
‘The Hundred’s’ 21st match was broadcast live (commentators included Rob Key, Graham Thorpe, Nasser Hussain and Rachel Priest from SKY Sports TV plus cricket social media plus ‘Himanchu’ from ESPNcricinfo social media.) Rachel Priest said that domestic competitions were vital to ‘build-up players’ confidence for international cricket. Nasser Hussain said that (in his opinion) the tournament had followed a run-a-ball pattern until the last 20 balls, when it became two-runs-per-ball. Former NZ star (and ‘Rockets’ keeper) Priest said that Sophia Dunkley played a memorable innings (approaching two-runs-per-ball): ‘that you don’t get to play that often.’ Earlier, Maia Bouchier had quite a day, having partnered Dunkley and taken a catch to dismiss batting superstar Jemimah Rodrigues
* ‘Superchargers’ innings came to a premature close, after persistent rain * Skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill (14 runs from 14 balls) was caught behind during the 1st post-‘power-play’ over *Batting superstar Jemimah Rodrigues (18 from 18) was out mis-hitting a top-edge vertical ‘skyer’ – perfectly caught by Maia Bouchier
* Bess Heath (2) edged her second ball to ‘fine leg,’ handing Lauren Bell her 2nd wicket during the same over * Following two more boundaries, Laura Woolvaardt and Alice Davidson-Richards left the field, umpires expecting more rain
* Six runs were added without further loss before yet more rain fell, at which point ‘Superchargers’ innings was closed on 76/3 after 73 balls
* ‘Brave’ were given a reduced innings, with 19 balls of ‘power-play’ (instead of 25) and set 89 to win from 75 balls (DLS method)
*’Brave’ looked in serious trouble when Danni Wyatt, Smriti Mandhana & Stafanie Taylor went cheaply, for single figures
*Thereafter, Sophia Dunkley (50 off 28) and Maia Bouchier (33 off 19) built the winning partnership to win the game (both strike rates >1.7 runs per ball)
*Commentators said that ‘Superchargers’ fielding ‘had fallen off a cliff’ with misfields that allowed too many ‘fours’ despite the wet outfield to slow the ball down
*Sophia Dunkley scored her match-winning ‘fifty’ with the final winning run
‘Southern Brave-W’ 89/3 (62/75 balls) beat ‘Northern Superchargers-W’ 76/3 (73 balls) by 7 wickets and 13 balls remaining *DLS method
‘Northern Superchargers-Women’ (NS-W): 76/3 (73 balls at 1 run-per-ball), Jemimah Rodrigues 18 runs (from 18 balls), Laura Woolvaardt 16(19), Lauren Winfield-Hill 14(14); ‘Brave’ bowling: Lauren Bell; Tara Norris 1/5; Fow 1-33, 2-39, 3-41
‘Southern Brave-Women’ (SB-W): 89/3 (62/75 balls, with ‘power-play’ reduced to 15 balls), Sophia Dunkley 50* (28) Maia Bouchier 33*(19); ‘Superchargers’ bowling Kalea Moore 2/9 Fow: 1-3, 5-2, 26-3
