Ollie Pope delivered the decisive strike on the very last delivery, guiding MI London to a nail‑biting three‑wicket win over Southern Brave at Southampton's Utilita Bowl. The climax came when Pope, having been handed the bat with just a few runs required, sliced the final ball into the outfield and sprinted for the winning two runs, sealing a thrilling finish for his side.
The innings began with Southern Brave’s opener Jamie Smith providing the early spark. Smith hammered 49 runs from just 26 balls, showcasing a blend of power and timing that kept the Brave in contention. Unfortunately for him, the half‑century eluded him by a whisker, as he was dismissed just shy of the fifty‑run mark. His aggressive start, however, reinforced his credentials as a potential regular in England’s limited‑overs squads, especially given his role as a Test‑level wicketkeeper who is increasingly being considered for white‑ball duties.
Beyond Smith, the Brave’s batting display was largely underwhelming. The only other noteworthy contribution came from Tristan Stubbs, who managed 38 runs off 31 balls.
While his knock added some momentum, it was insufficient to propel the team past a modest total. The rest of the line‑up faltered, and the Brave were eventually bundled out for 129‑9 after using all 100 allotted balls.
The bowling attack from MI London proved instrumental in keeping the target within reach. New Zealand fast‑bowler Trent Boult was exceptional, returning figures of 2 for 15, while England’s all‑rounder Sam Curran also claimed two wickets for just 22 runs. Their disciplined lines and lengths, combined with clever variations, kept the Brave’s scoring rate in check and forced errors at crucial moments.
When MI London began their chase, they stumbled early. The opening partnership was shattered almost immediately when James Vince, the team’s designated opener, was dismissed without scoring. He was followed by No 3 batsman Nicholas Pooran, who also fell for a duck on the very next ball, both victims of a sharp spell from Marcus Stoinis, who finished with figures of 3 for 17.
This early double‑wicket blow left MI London in a precarious position, with the top order under severe pressure. Stepping up to stabilize the innings, captain Sam Curran played a composed knock of 30 runs off 29 balls. His steadying presence allowed the innings to recover, and he was ably supported by a brilliant performance from opener Will Jacks, who smashed 54 runs from just 41 deliveries.
Jacks’ aggressive stroke‑play, punctuated by boundary after boundary, shifted the momentum back in MI London’s favour. Adding further firepower, Sherfane Rutherford contributed a rapid 21 runs from only 12 balls, keeping the required run rate well within reach. Despite the resurgence, the Brave fought back and managed to restrict MI London to needing six runs from the final five balls.
In a dramatic turn, Rashid Khan was dismissed, leaving tail‑ender Trent Boult on strike with three runs required off the last three deliveries. Boult, known more for his bowling than his batting, displayed surprising composure. He took a single on the penultimate ball, handing the strike to Pope, who now faced the ultimate test. Pope’s response was decisive.
He swung at the final delivery, slicing it through the covers and racing into the outfield. The ball traveled far enough for him to complete two runs, securing the winning margin and delivering MI London a memorable triumph. 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 having played one game fewer.
Southern Brave, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive defeat and slipped to second‑from‑bottom on the table. Looking ahead, the competition remains fierce. The latest tables reflect a tightly contested race, with MI London eager to maintain their upward trajectory. Fans can stay updated on squad announcements for the 2026 season, as well as live streams of The Hundred matches through the NOW platform.
Additional coverage, including news, video highlights, and analysis, is available across the league’s media channels. For those interested in upcoming fixtures, the next double‑header features Sunrisers Leeds taking on Manchester Super Giants in both the men’s and women’s contests, broadcast live on Sky Sports from 3:00 pm.
The Hundred continues to offer high‑octane cricket, with each game promising moments of drama, skill, and unforgettable finishes like the one delivered by Ollie Pope.