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Oval Invincibles secured their second consecutive Hundred title with a 17-run win over Southern Brave at Lord’s on Sunday. Chasing a target of 148, Southern Brave’s hopes faltered as Saqib Mahmood took three wickets in just six deliveries, crushing their run-chase. This victory also made the Invincibles the first team to earn four trophies across both the men’s and women’s Hundred competitions.
Mahmood dismantled Southern Brave’s batting lineup by dismissing Leus du Plooy, Kieron Pollard, and Laurie Evans between the 72nd and 78th deliveries. When Chris Jordan followed shortly after, the match was effectively decided. Oval Invincibles finished with a score of 147/9, while Southern Brave ended at 130/7.
Earlier in the day, London Spirit clinched the women’s Hundred title by chasing down a target of 116 to defeat Welsh Fire. In front of a record crowd of 22,008 at Lord’s, London Spirit reached 118-6 off 98 balls, surpassing Welsh Fire’s total of 115-8.
In a nail-biting finish, Deepti Sharma and Charlie Dean had to secure the win for their team. Allrounder Sharma delivered the final blow with a six over long-on, clinching victory with just two balls remaining.
Sharma’s shot seemed to drift towards Shabnim Ismail on the boundary, but it had just enough power to clear the rope and conclude a thrilling match. Head coach Ashley Noffke and captain Heather Knight then celebrated as London Spirit secured their first Hundred trophy.
