Ollie Pope clinched the match for MI London by striking the winning runs on the very last delivery, delivering a dramatic three‑wicket triumph over Southern Brave at Southampton's Utilita Bowl. The climax of the game was a textbook finish, with Pope's decisive shot turning a tight finish into an exhilarating victory for the home side.
The innings began with Southern Brave’s opener Jamie Smith providing the early spark. Smith smashed 49 runs off just 26 balls, coming agonisingly close to a half‑century before being dismissed. His aggressive approach set a brisk tempo for the Brave, but his dismissal left the team needing further contributions. The England Test wicket‑keeper, who has been lobbying for a regular spot in the national white‑ball squads, showcased his attacking instincts, yet the team could not build on his momentum.
The only other noteworthy innings for Southern Brave came from Tristan Stubbs, who contributed a quick‑fire 38 off 31 balls. Stubbs’ cameo added some firepower, but beyond his effort the Brave’s batting line‑up struggled to make a substantial impact. Their total of 129 for nine wickets after the allotted 100 balls reflected a collective under‑performance, especially given the high‑scoring nature of The Hundred format. Bowling was the decisive factor for MI London.
New Zealand paceman Trent Boult proved lethal, returning figures of 2 for 15, while England’s all‑rounder Sam Curran also claimed 2 for 22. Their disciplined spell, combined with tight field placements, kept the Brave’s run‑rate in check and prevented any late‑innings surge. The disciplined bowling effort ensured the Brave fell short of a competitive target, leaving MI London with a manageable chase. MI London’s reply, however, was not without its own hurdles.
The opening partnership crumbled quickly as James Vince, the team’s senior batsman, was dismissed without scoring, followed immediately by No. 3 Nicholas Pooran, who also fell for a duck. Both dismissals came at the hands of Marcus Stoinis, who claimed figures of 3 for 17, delivering a significant blow to MI London’s top order and creating early pressure. The innings steadied when captain Sam Curran, playing a pivotal role with both bat and ball, produced a composed 30 runs off 29 balls.
Curran’s innings was anchored by a brilliant display from opener Will Jacks, who smashed a rapid 54 off just 41 deliveries, injecting much‑needed momentum. Supporting them, Sherfane Rutherford added a quickfire 21 off 12 balls, further stabilising the chase and keeping the required run‑rate within reach.
Despite the resurgence, the match remained finely balanced. With six runs required from the final five balls, the tension was palpable.
A crucial turning point arrived when Rashid Khan, who had been a wicket‑taking threat throughout the tournament, was dismissed, leaving tail‑ender Trent Boult on strike. The equation then became three runs needed from the last three balls.
Boult, known more for his swing bowling than his batting, displayed composure by taking a single, thereby handing the strike to Ollie Pope. Pope, a former England batsman with a reputation for finishing games, faced the final delivery. He executed a textbook slice, sending the ball into the outfield where it raced to the boundary. The shot secured the winning two runs, sealing a thrilling finish and sending the MI London supporters into jubilation.
The win propelled MI London up to third place in The Hundred standings, putting them level on points with league leaders Manchester Super Giants, albeit with one game in hand. Southern Brave, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive defeat and now sit second from the bottom of the table, highlighting a challenging phase for the franchise. Looking ahead, MI London will aim to capitalize on this momentum, hoping to convert the extra game into a win and climb higher in the table.
Their balanced combination of aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding suggests they have the tools to contend for the title as the season progresses. For fans eager to follow the competition, the latest tables and squad announcements for the 2026 edition of The Hundred are readily available online.
Matches, including a double‑header featuring Sunrisers Leeds versus Manchester Super Giants, are being broadcast live on Sky Sports from 3:00 pm, with streaming options on NOW for contract‑free viewing. The tournament continues to deliver high‑octane cricket, and MI London’s dramatic victory over Southern Brave adds another memorable chapter to an already exciting season.