Southern Brave vs Manchester Originals at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton (East) on 1 August 2024
Manchester Originals chalked-up back-to-back wins, this time beating Brave in a second north-south derby that went to the wire. For Brave, the match started well with Danni Wyatt making top-score with ‘fifty.’ That was more than matched for Originals by Laura Wolvaardt [78*not out runs(from 52 balls)] who scored her fourth ‘fifty’ of the tournament and carried her bat. Collecting POTM ‘Meerkat match hero’ cap-and-medal from Ebony Rainford Brent, Laura Wolvaardt was complemented on a ‘perfect display’ by Originals’ left-hand and right-handed batting combination. Laura Wolvaardt complemented her batting partner Eve Jones who ‘played to her strengths.’ In summary, the defending champions were unable to defend what seemed like a reasonable total, during a match that was tightly contested by both teams. Commentators were Ebony Rainford Brent MBE (broadcaster & former England international – director Women’s cricket at Surrey); with Simon Doull (NZ broadcaster & former NZ international), Dominic Cork (Head Coach at Derbyshire Falcons & former England international) and Kumar Sangakkara (former Sri Lanka international.) Weather was initially rainy, that gave way to a hot summer’s day with clear blue sky, followed by the arrival of dark stormy clouds 25C.
*Brave’s innings *skipper Georgia Adams with international players Lauren Cheatle & Charlie Knott (Australia); Also with Chloe Tryon (Rep. South Africa); [Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Originals] *After 25 balls ‘power-play 30/0; *Maia Bouchier was bowled by Kim Garth’s slower ball; *Midway after 50 balls, 63/1; *Danni Wyatt was ‘spectacularly’ caught-and-bowled by Sophie Ecclestone; *’Short on elevation two balls later, Charli Knott was caught by Fi Morris at head-height, also from Sophie Ecclestone; *Freya Kemp was caught at ‘cover’ by Laura Wolvaardt back-pedalling, from Fi Morris ; *Chloe Tryon was ‘run-out’ by Alice Monaghan’s sharp throw to Ellie Threlkeld, at the striker’s end; *Brave’s batting: Danni Wyatt 61(46), Charlie Knott 27(28), Maia Bouchier 24(16), Chloe Tryon 13(6); *Originals’ bowling: Sophie Ecclestone 2/17, Kim Garth 1/33, Fi Morris 1/38;
*Originals’ innings*skipper Sophie Ecclestone with international players Beth Mooney & Kim Garth (Australia); & Laura Wolvaardt (Rep. South Africa); [Rhianna Southby keeping wicket for Brave]; *Beth Mooney feathered a fine catch with ’spike, sound and celebration’ to keeper Rhianna Southby; *After 25 balls power-play 37/1 (vs 30/0); *Strategic-time-out was called after 40 balls, on 56/1; *Midway after 50 balls 67/1 (vs 63/1); *’Short on elevation,’ Eve Jones was caught by Charli Knott from Georgia Adams; *Four balls later, visibly furious with herself, Sophie Ecclestone was caught by Tilly Corteen-Coleman from Georgia Adams; *Failing to ground her bat, Fi Morris was ‘run-out’ by Lauren Cheatle’s direct-hit; *Scoring back-to-back ‘fifties,’ Laura Wolvaardt carried her bat; *Originals batting: Laura Wolvaardt 78*not out(52), Eve Jones 29(37), Kathryn Bryce 11*not out(9); *Brave’s bowling: Georgia Adams 2/24, Lauren Cheatle 1/34;
*Match result: Manchester Originals 140/4 (@1.4 runs-per-ball, target 137 from 98/100) beat Southern Brave 136/5 (@1.4 runs-per-ball, from 100/100) by six wickets (with two balls remaining)
*Full match courtesy of SKY Sports Cricket free-to-air via YouTube [03h29m25s] @url https://www.youtube.com/live/clViy8E3k4o
*Fixtures @url https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/3801564/the-hundred-2024-fixtures
