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 the most substantial contribution for his side, hammering 49 runs off just 26 balls.
Smith fell just short of the coveted half‑century, a disappointment that nonetheless underscored his aggressive intent and kept the Brave in contention for much of the chase. His effort reinforced the argument that the Test‑format wicketkeeper deserves a regular spot in England’s limited‑overs squads, given his ability to dominate the powerplay. The only other noteworthy performance from the Brave came from Tristan Stubbs, who added 38 runs off 31 balls.
Stubbs’ cameo was valuable but insufficient to lift the team beyond a modest total. Overall, Southern Brave’s batting display was underwhelming, failing to capitalize on the platform set by Smith and leaving the side vulnerable to MI London’s disciplined bowling attack. MI London’s bowlers, however, made life miserable for the Brave. New Zealand paceman Trent Boult was outstanding, returning figures of 2 for 15, while England all‑rounder Sam Curran produced an equally impressive spell of 2 for 22.
Their tight, wicket‑taking spells restricted the Brave to a disappointing 129 for 9 after exactly 100 balls, a score that seemed well within MI London’s reach. When MI London began their chase, the start was anything but smooth.
Opening batsman James Vince was dismissed without scoring, and just one ball later, No. 3 Nicholas Pooran also fell for a duck, both victims of a devastating spell from Marcus Stoinis, who claimed 3 wickets for 17 runs. The early blow threatened to derail MI London’s pursuit, as the top order was quickly dismantled. Captain Sam Curran, however, steadied the ship.
He struck a quick 30 runs off 29 balls, anchoring the innings with composure. Supporting him was the aggressive opener Will Jacks, who smashed 54 runs from a brisk 41‑ball effort, and the hard‑hitting Sherfane Rutherford, who contributed a rapid 21 off just 12 deliveries. Their partnership steadied the innings and brought the required run rate back under control. The match remained finely balanced, and as the overs wound down, MI London found themselves needing six runs from the final five balls.
A crucial moment arrived when Rashid Khan was dismissed, leaving tail‑ender Trent Boult on strike with three runs required from three balls. Boult, known more for his bowling than his batting, showed remarkable grit. He took a single that rotated the strike to Ollie Pope, setting the stage for the final showdown.
Pope, a former England batsman with a reputation for calm under pressure, faced the last delivery. He sliced the ball square of the wicket, sending it racing into the outfield. The ball raced past the fielders, allowing Pope to sprint for two runs and clinch the match for MI London. The crowd erupted as the winning runs were completed, and the victory was secured in dramatic fashion.
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 with one game in hand. Southern Brave, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive defeat and now sit second from the bottom, their campaign looking increasingly precarious. Looking ahead, MI London will aim to capitalize on this momentum, hoping to close the gap on the leaders and secure a playoff berth.
Their bowlers have shown they can defend low totals, while the top order, despite early setbacks, demonstrated resilience and the ability to chase under pressure. For Southern Brave, the challenge will be to rebuild after a string of losses, perhaps re‑examining their batting strategy and finding ways to convert solid starts into competitive totals. The Hundred continues to generate excitement with its fast‑paced format, and the latest tables reflect a tightly contested competition.
Fans can follow the ongoing drama through live broadcasts on Sky Sports and streaming platforms such as NOW, which also offers a range of related content, including squad announcements for the 2026 season, match highlights, and exclusive interviews. In summary, Ollie Pope’s composure on the final ball, combined with a collective team effort from MI London’s bowlers and middle order, turned a precarious chase into a memorable victory. The result reshapes the league table, intensifies the race for the top spots, and sets the stage for more thrilling encounters as the season progresses.