Ollie Pope delivered the decisive runs on the very last delivery, steering MI London to a nail‑biting three‑wicket win over Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. The climax of the match was a dramatic finish that saw Pope strike the winning two runs after a tense final over, clinching the contest for his side. The innings began with Southern Brave’s opener Jamie Smith providing the bulk of their total. Smith smashed 49 runs from just 26 balls, falling agonisingly short of a half‑century.
His aggressive stroke‑play kept the Brave in contention early on, but his dismissal came just before the fifty‑run mark, leaving the home side to rely on the lower order. The wicketkeeper‑batsman, who has been making a strong case for inclusion in England’s white‑ball squads, added a modest contribution but could not push the total beyond a modest 129‑9 after the allotted 100 balls. The only other noteworthy knock for Southern Brave came from Tristan Stubbs, who managed 38 runs off 31 deliveries.
Stubbs’ innings was a brief flash of brilliance in an otherwise lackluster batting display. The rest of the Brave lineup struggled to build partnerships, and their total of 129 was kept in check by an incisive MI London bowling attack.
MI London’s bowlers were the real architects of the low score. New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult was outstanding, returning figures of 2 for 15, while England all‑rounder Sam Curran also shone with 2 for 22.
Their disciplined lines and lengths, combined with sharp field placements, forced the Brave into a series of mistakes and prevented any substantial partnerships from forming. The tight bowling spell left Southern Brave with a sub‑130 target, a score that would prove insufficient against a determined MI London chase.
When the chase began, MI London stumbled early. Their opening pair, James Vince and Nicholas Pooran, were both dismissed for ducks on consecutive balls, both falling to the clever medium‑pace of Marcus Stoinis, who claimed 3 for 17. The early loss of two top‑order batsmen put the London side under immediate pressure, and the required run rate began to climb.
Captain Sam Curran, however, steadied the ship. He played a composed innings of 30 runs off 29 balls, rotating the strike and anchoring the chase.
He was ably supported by opener Will Jacks, who produced a blistering 54 runs from just 41 deliveries, and Sherfane Rutherford, who added a quick‑fire 21 off 12 balls. Their partnership lifted MI London back into the game, but the Brave fought back fiercely, restricting the scoring and leaving London with six runs required from the final five balls.
The final over was a roller‑coaster. Rashid Khan’s wicket fell, and the tail‑ender Trent Boult found himself on strike with three runs needed from three balls. Boult, known more for his lethal bowling than his batting, showed a touch of courage by taking a single, thereby handing the strike to Ollie Pope.
Pope, a former England batsman, faced the last delivery with the weight of the match on his shoulders. Pope’s response was a textbook slice into the outfield, sending the ball racing to the boundary. The shot secured the final two runs, and MI London crossed the line with a thrilling two‑run margin. The victory was not only a testament to Pope’s composure under pressure but also a showcase of MI London’s resilience after a shaky start.
The win propels MI London up to third place in The Hundred standings, putting them level on points with league leaders Manchester Super Giants, albeit having played one fewer match. Southern Brave, on the other hand, suffer their third consecutive defeat and find themselves second from the bottom of the table, highlighting a difficult spell for the franchise.
Looking ahead, the latest tables in The Hundred reflect the tightly contested nature of the competition, with several teams clustered around the mid‑table. The upcoming fixtures promise more excitement, including a men’s and women’s double‑header featuring Sunrisers Leeds against Manchester Super Giants, scheduled for a live broadcast on Sky Sports from 3:00 pm. Fans can also stream The Hundred and additional content on the NOW platform, which offers contract‑free access to matches, highlights, and exclusive interviews. In summary, the match at the Utilita Bowl was a classic example of The Hundred’s fast‑paced, high‑stakes cricket.
It featured a blend of explosive batting, disciplined bowling, and a finish that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Ollie Pope’s winning runs will be remembered as a highlight of the season, and MI London’s climb up the table underscores the competitive balance that makes this tournament so compelling.