Southern Brave vs London Spirit at Southampton (Ageas Bowl) on 12 August at 14h30
The second women’s match of ‘The Hundred’ saw Australia’s Beth Mooney (Commonwealth games gold medallist) set a new record score 97* not out – for the women’s contest but she ended-up on losing-side. One final ’six’ by Freya Kemp (pictured) saw Brave complete the highest successful chase in the women’s competition with six balls still to spare. POTM from the winning side was awarded to Danni Wyatt for 65 runs at a strike-rate approaching two runs-per-ball. Receiving her ‘match hero’ medal, Wyatt was ‘happy to contribute’ and she was working harder in the gym. Match was broadcast via SKY Sports with Mel Jones & Lisa Sthalekar (Australia), Shaun Pollock (South Africa), and guests Charlotte Edwards (Brave’s Head Coach) also Stuart Broad coaching Brave’s Lauren Bell. Also via BBC i-player (Isa Guha, Chris Hughes, with guests including Heather Knight); Radio 5LSX (Melissa Story, Henry Moeran); ESPN-cric-info (Matt Roller & Cameron Ponsonby) and other social media. Weather was a warm summer’s afternoon, 18-22C.
London Spirit Innings
Skipper Charlie Dean stood-in for Heather Knight (injured); won the toss and elected to bat. *Debutante international stars were Beth Mooney, Megan Schutt (both Australia’s gold medalists) and Amelia Kerr (NZ bronze.) *During a one-sided opening partnership, 36 runs came from 25 balls. *Bowling change had ‘immediate impact’ when Grace Scrivens (1) was bowled first ball from Georgia Adams coming around the wicket, skittling her leg-stump. *Sets-of-fives from Australia’s leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington ‘Wello’ and opposing skipper Anya Shrubsole’s seam went for three runs apiece. *By mid-way, Beth Mooney and Amelia Kerr’s second-wicket partnership chalked-up 65/1. *Drama struck during the closing stages, when two wickets fell during Wello’s second over, placing her on a hat-trick. *Firstly Amelia Kerr 37(27) snicked an ‘ultra-edge’ to keeper Carla Rudd. *Next ball, Danielle Gibson was caught-and-bowled by Amanda-Jade Wellington for a golden duck. *Wello’s ‘death over’ claimed a third wicket, when Naomi Dattani (3) was caught at ‘long-off’ by Maia Bouchier. *Beth Mooney 97* (55) carried her bat, three runs short of an inauguaral tournament ‘ton’. *Only 2 Spirit players (Beth Mooney and Amelia Kerr) made double-figures. *Despite this, commentators announced that Spirit’s total of 155 was the ‘second-highest score achieved in the history of the Hundred (women’s or men’s).’
Southern Brave Innings.
Skipper Anya Shrubsole was ‘happy to be bowling,’ looked forward to a ‘great start.’ *Also mentioned debutantes Freya Kemp; Georgia Adams (transferred) and Molly Strano (for fellow Australian Tahlia McGrath.) *After 30 balls, Brave were a nose ahead: 46 without loss (vs 43/1); and were level-pegging after 50 balls (both 65/1.) *India’s silver medallist Smriti Mandhana 19(14) survived a dropped catch by Naomi Dattani at ‘cover,’ from Charlie Dean. Smriti Mandhana ballooned a catch to ‘cover,’ caught by Sophie Luff from Dani Gibson. *Opener Danni Wyatt 65(34) was ‘run out’ by Amelia Kerr’s diving direct hit. *Critical of circumstances surrounding Wyatt’s ‘run out,’ commentators felt that Wyatt had potential that was needed to score the tournamen’s ‘first-ever century.’ *Maia Bouchier (0) fell for a second ball duck, from Amelia Kerr’s googly. *Commentators thought that Beth Mooney was unfortunate not to ‘run-out’ Georgia Adams 18(15) who was trapped a few balls later, ‘leg before’ to Dani Gibson. *Sophia Dunkley 34*(24) ‘regained her composure’ partnered by Freya Kemp, whose match-winning ’six’ over ‘long-on’ saw Brave complete the highest successful chase in the women’s competition, with six balls remaining.
Summary
After the match, Brave’s skipper Anya Shrubsole said that Beth Mooney (97*) ‘was exceptional’ and her team did well ‘keeping (Spirit) to par 140-150.’ Australia’s Amanda-Jade Wellington (3/30) took three Spirit wickets, the first two with consecutive balls when Amelia Kerr was caught behind and Danielle Gibson was caught-and-bowled next ball. Wello’s third wicket, saw Naomi Dattani caught at ‘long-off’ by Maia Bouchier. Australia’s opener Beth Mooney carried her bat, three runs short of the first tournament ‘ton’. Brave chased down Spirit’s total of 155 that previously, was the ‘second-highest score in the short history of the Hundred. Commentators were critical of Spirit’s ‘poor showing in the field’ with too many dropped catches that ‘did little’ to stem the flow of runs. Match hero Danni Wyatt got Brave’s run chase to a good start and Sophia Dunkley played with composure needed to see it through. Freya Kemp hit the winning ’six.’
Result: Southern Brave Women 159/4 beat London Spirit Women 155/4 by 6 wickets with 6 balls remaining
London Spirit batting 155/4 (100 balls, 1.55 runs-per-ball) Beth Mooney 97*(55), Amelia Kerr 37(27); Southern Brave bowling Amanda-Jade-Wellington 3/30, Georgia Adams 1/22; Fow 1-36, 2-123, 3-123, 4-148.
Southern Brave batting 159/4; target 156 from 100 balls (94/100 balls, 1.69 runs-per-ball) Danni Wyatt 65(34), Sophia Dunkley 34*(24), Smriti Mandhana 19(14), Georgia Adams 18(15), Freya Kemp 14*(6); London Spirit bowling Dani Gibson 2/27, Amelia Kerr 1/37; Fow 1-62, 2-97, 3-97, 4-138.
Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2022-1299144/southern-brave-women-vs-london-spirit-women-2nd-match-1299146/full-scorecard
Full Match video from SKY Sports free-to-air 3h28m01s at URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsa5lkwPwBs
Footnote: Wello’s World Cup and Commonwealth Games Gold medal journeys (with guests including Tahlia McGrath) appear as ‘The Secret life of Wello’ on YouTube at URL https://www.youtube.com/c/secretlifeofwello
