Ollie Pope delivered the decisive runs on the very last delivery, guiding MI London to a nail‑biting three‑wicket win against Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. The climax came as Pope struck a boundary that secured the match, turning a tense finish into a memorable triumph for the London franchise. The innings began with Southern Brave’s opener Jamie Smith providing a brisk start, hammering 49 runs off just 26 balls. Smith’s aggressive stroke‑play kept the Brave in contention, but he fell just short of the half‑century mark, missing out on a personal milestone.
His effort, however, reinforced his growing reputation as a potential regular in England’s limited‑overs squads, especially given his role as a Test wicket‑keeper who is eager to make his mark in the white‑ball arena. The only other noteworthy contribution from the Brave came from Tristan Stubbs, who added 38 runs from 31 balls, offering a brief flash of resistance before the innings stalled. Southern Brave’s total of 129 for nine wickets after the allotted 100 balls reflected a collective struggle against a disciplined MI London bowling attack. The most effective bowlers were New Zealand paceman Trent Boult, who returned figures of two wickets for just 15 runs, and England all‑rounder Sam Curran, who claimed two for 22.
Their tight lines and clever variations kept the Brave’s scoring rate in check and forced a sub‑130 target that left MI London with a clear, though not effortless, chase. When MI London’s innings began, the top order stumbled immediately.
Opening batsman James Vince was dismissed for a duck, and his partner at number three, Nicholas Pooran, also fell for zero on the very next ball. Both dismissals came at the hands of Marcus Stoinis, whose spell yielded three wickets for 17 runs and severely dented the London side’s early momentum. The quick loss of two wickets in successive deliveries placed the visitors under immediate pressure, with the required run rate beginning to climb. Stepping into the breach, captain Sam Curran steadied the ship, scoring a quick‑fire 30 runs off 29 balls.
His innings was complemented by a spectacular knock from opener Will Jacks, who smashed 54 runs from just 41 deliveries, displaying a blend of power and finesse that kept the chase within reach. Adding to the momentum, Sherfane Rutherford contributed a rapid 21 runs off only 12 balls, further accelerating the run chase and keeping MI London on track despite the early setbacks.
As the overs progressed, Southern Brave fought back, tightening their field and applying pressure that left MI London needing six runs from the final five balls. The situation seemed to tilt in the Brave’s favour 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 composure by taking a single that handed the strike to Ollie Pope. Pope, a former England batsman with a reputation for calm under pressure, faced the final delivery.
He sliced the ball square of the wicket into the outfield, securing two runs and clinching the match for MI London. The shot not only delivered the winning runs but also encapsulated the drama of a Hundred final over, where every ball can change the outcome. The victory propelled MI London up to third place on the Hundred league table, putting them level on points with the leaders, Manchester Super Giants, albeit having played one more match.
This position underscores MI London’s growing consistency in the competition and highlights the importance of finishing matches strongly. Conversely, Southern Brave suffered their third consecutive defeat, slipping to second‑from‑bottom on the standings and prompting questions about their batting depth and ability to chase larger totals. Looking ahead, the league’s latest tables reflect a tightly contested race, with several teams separated by just a few points. The upcoming fixtures, including the double‑header featuring Sunrisers Leeds against Manchester Super Giants, promise further excitement for fans.
Both men’s and women’s matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from 3:00 pm, offering ample opportunity for supporters to follow the action. For those who missed the live drama, the match can be streamed on the NOW platform, which also provides access to a wealth of Hundred content, including highlights, interviews, and analysis.
The platform’s contract‑free model ensures that fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest news, video clips, and table updates without a subscription barrier. In summary, Ollie Pope’s last‑ball heroics encapsulated the unpredictable nature of The Hundred, where a single swing of the bat can determine the fate of an entire franchise. MI London’s resilience after early wickets, combined with standout performances from Will Jacks and Sam Curran, set the stage for a thrilling finish.
Meanwhile, Southern Brave must regroup and address the issues that have led to their recent string of losses if they hope to climb out of the relegation zone in the weeks to come.