South African all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Kerlk were the catalysts behind London Spirit Women securing their inaugural win of the Hundred campaign, delivering a decisive five‑wicket triumph over Trent Rockets at Nottingham's historic Trent Bridge. Kapp’s bowling spell was nothing short of spectacular.
In just 20 deliveries she claimed three wickets for a mere 12 runs, conceding her first run only on the eleventh ball of her spell. The Rockets were bowled out for 142 for 7, with England’s off‑spinner Charlie Dean providing solid support at 2 for 18, while home captain Ash Gardner topped the run‑scoring chart with a gritty 34. The chase for Spirit began shakily. After a promising start of 55 for no loss, the innings quickly slipped to 67 for 4 when hard‑hitting Grace Harris, who had been a whirlwind 37 runs off 20 balls, was dismissed.
The momentum could have swung in Trent's favour, but De Kerlk steadied the ship with a composed 41 not out off 22 balls. Partnering her, Marie Kelly contributed a valuable 39, and together they steered the side back into contention.
With just three balls remaining, the match hung in the balance. De Kerlk struck the winning six off a delivery from Georgia Adams, sending the ball soaring over deep square leg and sealing a memorable victory for the Spirit.
The win not only broke their winless streak but also demonstrated the depth and resilience of their batting line‑up. Trent Rockets, on the other hand, were attempting to rebound from an opening loss to Manchester Super Giants, where they had been dismissed for a paltry 80.
Their recent form had been mixed; they had previously demolished Birmingham Phoenix by nine wickets, limiting the Phoenix to a meagre 64 runs. However, they were unable to replicate that dominance against Spirit, falling short despite several individual highlights. Sophia Dunkley shone for the Rockets, scoring a rapid 23 off 15 balls and hitting three consecutive fours off Deandra Dottin.
Dottin’s figures, however, were disappointing – she went for 32 runs in just 10 balls without taking a wicket, a stark contrast to the earlier success of Dunkley. Ash Gardner and Sophie Luff also made contributions, with Luff adding 24 off 19 balls, but the collective effort was insufficient to chase down the target. De Kerlk faced a barrage of boundaries from Gardner, who hit three fours in quick succession. Yet it was De Kerlk’s own aggressive batting that ultimately clinched the game.
She struck two fours and three sixes, including a towering maximum off a full‑toss from Gardner that crashed over the covers, showcasing her power-hitting capabilities. The day’s other women’s fixture was washed out due to rain at Emirates Old Trafford, cancelling the scheduled 11 am start between Super Giants and Phoenix.
The weather interruption meant fans missed what could have been another exciting encounter. Looking ahead, the latest Hundred tables reflect the shifting fortunes of the teams, with Spirit moving up the rankings after their win. Fans can continue to follow the action through the NOW streaming service, Sky Sports’ app, and various social media channels, including WhatsApp for real‑time updates, video highlights, and analysis. The weekend’s packed schedule, featuring four games a day, gave way to a more traditional double‑header on Monday.
Southern Brave’s women’s side will host MI London at 3 pm, followed by the men’s teams taking the field at 6:30 pm. Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering viewers another chance to witness high‑octane cricket in the unique Hundred format.
Overall, the victory for London Spirit Women underscores the impact of experienced all‑rounders like Kapp and De Kerlk, whose combined bowling precision and batting firepower turned the tide in a tightly contested match. Their performance not only delivered a win but also set a tone for the remainder of the season, suggesting that Spirit could become a formidable contender as the tournament progresses.