Oval Invincibles vs Northern Superchargers at London-South (Kia Oval) on 11 August at 18h30
Women’s ‘The Hundred’ kicked off with gold medallist Alyssa Healy (Superchargers) hitting 14 runs from her first five balls. Debutante Ryana Macdonald-Gay (pictured) (2/25) was described by commentators as ‘the pick of (Invincibles) attack’ bagging wickets of the visitor’s two highest scorers. By comparison, Superchargers dropped more catches and only Jenny Gunn took a wicket. Playing her first match for Invincibles, POTM Lauren Winfield-Hill, was awarded ‘match hero’ medal for her unbeaten top score of 74* runs from 42 balls. Before the match, Winfield-Hill commended the Invincibles’ team for making her feel welcome, previously having played for Superchargers, as opponents. commentators explained that this season started late because of the Commonwealth Games. The match was broadcast via SKY Sports, BBC i-player (Isa Guha, Chris Hughes, with guests including Heather Knight); Radio 5LSX (Melissa Story, Henry Moeran, with guests including Tash Farrant); ESPN-cric-info (Valkerie Baynes) and other social media. Weather was a hot, dry summer’s evening, 21-24C.
Northern Superchargers’ Innings *Australia’s gold medallist Alyssa Healy (15 runs from 7 balls) made a ‘whirlwind’ start, dropped at mid-on by Shabnim Ismail, but caught next over by Suzie Bates at ‘mid-off’ from debutante Sophia Smale. *At that point Healy had posted 15 of the 16 runs scored. *Two quick wickets fell two balls apart. *Firstly Bess Heath (6) went for a reverse sweep, but was caught at backward point by Mady Villiers from Alice Capsey. *Secondly, skipper Hollie Armitage’s (1) off-stump was ‘knocked back’ by seam bowler Shabnim Ismail, bringing her South African team mate Laura Wolvaardt to the wicket.
*Drama struck (27th ball) when Alice Capsey twisted her right knee changing direction whilst fielding and received physiotherapy whilst drinks were taken (44/3.) *Melissa Story felt that Capsey should have left the field immediately for ‘ice pack’ treatment to reduce swelling, rather than suffer two or three overs before seeking more treatment off-field. *India’s Jemimah Rodrigues 51(35) and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt 49(39) added 66 runs for Superchargers’ fourth wicket until Rodrigues was caught by Alice Capsey (back on field on her 18th birthday) from Ryana Macdonald-Gay. *Macdonald-Gay bagged her second wicket when Suzie Bates caught Laura Wolvaardt, who finished with ‘fireworks’ (6-4-2) *Wolvaardt was out to the last ball of the innings, leaving England’s Alice Davidson-Richards 12 ‘not out.’
Oval Invincibles’ Innings *Before the match, skipper Dane van Niekerk told Isa Guha that Invincibles were playing without Marizanne Kapp. *Lauren Winfield-Hill made top score of 74* runs from 42 balls; posting a century (104-runs) first wicket with NZ bronze medallist Suzie Bates 46(34); until Bates was caught by Laura Wolvaardt from World cup veteran Jenny Gunn. *Suzie Bates was dropped twice: firstly by Katie Levick from Linsey Smith. *Also put down by Jenny Gunn (caught-and-bowled chance). *Replacing Bates, Alice Capsey 25(8) was given a reprieve when was dropped first ball but finished in style, striking four consecutive ‘fours’ to close the match with 16 balls to spare.
Summary Defending champions Invincibles chalked-up their first win, in the first match of The women’s Hundred. What seemed like an imposing total from Superchargers was chased-own in record time by Invincibles with ‘relative ease.’ Commentators commended performances by ‘an international… top three’: Lauren Winfield-Hill, Suzie Bates and Alice Capsey; adding that Debutante Ryana Macdonald-Gay was ‘the pick of (Invincibles) attack.’ After the match, POTM Lauren Winfield-Hill told commentators that Invincibles (as defending champions) were ‘hungry to do the double.’
Result: Oval Invincibles Women 146/1; beat Northern Superchargers Women 143/5; by 9 wickets with 16 balls remaining
Northern Superchargers batting 143/5 (100 balls, 1.43 runs per ball) Jemimah Rodrigues 51(32), Laura Wolvaardt 49(39), Alyssa Healy 15(7), Alice Davidson-Richards 12*(14); Oval Invincibles Women bowling: Ryana Macdonald-Gay 2/25, Alice Capsey 1/6, Sophia Smale 1/25, Shabnim Ismail 1/27; Fow 1-16, 2-36, 3-38, 4-104, 5-143.
Oval Invincibles batting 146/1 (84 balls, 1.73 runs per ball) Lauren Winfield-Hill 74*(42), Suzie Bates 46(34), Alice Capsey 25*(8); Northern Superchargers bowling: Jenny Gunn 1/22. Fow 1-104.
Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2022-1299144/northern-superchargers-women-vs-oval-invincibles-women-1st-match-1299145/full-scorecard
Match video (3h05m55) from BBC i-player at URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001b0p7/cricket-the-hundred-2022-womens-oval-invincibles-v-northern-superchargers?seriesId=m000y2rp-yesterday
Live stream with highlights and interviews froom SKY Sports at URL: https://www.skysports.com/the-hundred/news/36890/12669880/free-stream-live-blog-oval-invincibles-vs-northern-superchargers
