Ollie Pope delivered the decisive blows on the very last delivery, guiding MI London to a nail‑biting three‑wicket win over Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. The climax unfolded with Pope striking the winning runs on the final ball, a moment that will be replayed in highlight reels for weeks to come. The innings began with Southern Brave’s opener Jamie Smith providing a flash of brilliance, hammering 49 runs off just 26 balls. Smith’s aggressive stroke‑play kept the Brave in contention, but he fell just short of a half‑century, missing the milestone by a single run.
His near‑century was a reminder of his growing reputation as a reliable top‑order batsman and added weight to his ongoing campaign for a regular spot in England’s limited‑overs squads. The only other substantial contribution from the Brave came from Tristan Stubbs, who added 38 runs from 31 balls. Stubbs’ innings was marked by crisp boundaries and quick singles, yet it was insufficient to lift the team beyond a modest total.
Southern Brave’s total of 129 for 9 after their full allotment of 100 balls reflected a collective batting effort that fell short of the required standard. The innings was curtailed by a disciplined and incisive bowling display from MI London, most notably from the New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult and England’s all‑rounder Sam Curran. Boult’s figures of two wickets for just 15 runs and Curran’s two for 22 put relentless pressure on the Brave, forcing them into a defensive posture early on and limiting any momentum they tried to build.
Their tight lines and clever variations left the Brave scrambling for runs, and the wickets they took came at crucial junctures, preventing any substantial partnerships from developing. When MI London’s turn to bat arrived, they faced an early setback.
Opening batsman James Vince was dismissed for a golden duck, and his partner at number three, Nicholas Pooran, followed suit on the very next delivery, both falling to a sharp spell from Marcus Stoinis, who claimed figures of three wickets for 17 runs. The double blow left MI London reeling and in need of a recovery plan. It was at this point that the captain, Sam Curran, stepped up.
Curran, who scored a brisk 30 off 29 balls, anchored the innings with composure, rotating the strike and finding boundaries when the situation demanded. Supporting Curran was an explosive performance from opener Will Jacks, who smashed 54 runs from just 41 balls. Jacks displayed a mixture of powerful lofted shots and deft placement, accelerating the run rate and providing the momentum MI London required.
Another valuable cameo came from Sherfane Rutherford, who contributed a rapid 21 runs off only 12 balls, further boosting the chase and keeping the required run rate within reach. Despite these contributions, the Brave’s bowlers fought back, and the match reached a tense climax with MI London needing six runs from the final five deliveries. The penultimate over saw Rashid Khan, a key bowler for the Brave, claim a wicket that seemed to tilt the balance in his team’s favour.
With the wicket falling, the tail‑ender Trent Boult found himself on strike, and the equation narrowed to three runs needed from the last three balls. Boult, showing his experience, managed a single that handed the strike to Ollie Pope. Pope, a former England batsman known for his calm under pressure, faced the final delivery. He executed a well‑timed slice, sending the ball into the outfield where it rolled past the fielders, allowing him to scamper two runs and secure the win for MI London.
The final moments were a testament to the high‑stakes drama that The Hundred format can produce. With this victory, MI London climbed to third place on the competition table, level on points with the league leaders Manchester Super Giants, albeit having played one game fewer. The win not only bolstered their position but also demonstrated their ability to chase down targets under pressure.
Conversely, Southern Brave suffered their third consecutive defeat, sliding to second‑from‑bottom on the standings and prompting questions about their strategy and batting depth. The broader context of the tournament sees teams jostling for the top spots as the season progresses. Fans can keep up with the latest tables, squad announcements for the 2026 season, and live streaming options via NOW.
Additional coverage, including match highlights and expert analysis, is available across various platforms, ensuring that followers of The Hundred stay informed about every twist and turn. Looking ahead, MI London will aim to maintain their momentum, while Southern Brave will need to regroup and address the issues that have led to their recent string of losses. The competition remains wide open, with each match offering the potential for dramatic turnarounds, as illustrated by Pope’s last‑ball heroics.
The excitement surrounding The Hundred continues to grow, drawing in new audiences and providing a showcase for emerging talent alongside established international stars.