South African all‑rounders Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk were the catalysts behind London Spirit Women’s inaugural triumph of the 2024 Hundred season, delivering a decisive five‑wicket win over Trent Rockets at the historic Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Kapp’s spell with the ball was nothing short of spectacular. In just 20 deliveries she claimed three wickets for only 12 runs, a line of 3/12 that included a remarkable stretch of 10 consecutive dot balls before she finally yielded a single run on her 11th ball. Her disciplined bowling helped to restrict the Rockets, who posted a total of 142 for 7.
Among the Rockets’ scorers, England’s off‑spinner Charlie Dean contributed a tidy 2/18, while home‑grown captain Ash Gardner led the batting effort with a solid 34 runs. The chase for Spirit began confidently, but a brief wobble saw the score slip from 55‑0 to 67‑4 after the explosive Grace Harris was dismissed for 37 off just 20 balls.
At that juncture, the innings hung in the balance. De Klerk, however, steadied the ship.
She played an unbeaten 41 runs off 22 balls, anchoring the innings alongside Marie Kelly, who added 39 runs. The partnership steadied the run‑rate and kept the required total within reach.
With only three balls remaining, De Klert struck the winning six off a delivery from Georgia Adams that sailed over deep square leg, sealing the victory for Spirit with three wickets in hand. This win marked a significant bounce‑back for the Spirit after an opening loss to Manchester Super Giants, where they were bundled out for a meagre 80 runs. It also followed a heavy defeat for the Rockets, who had previously demolished Birmingham Phoenix by nine wickets, limiting the Phoenix to a paltry 64 runs.
The contrast between the Rockets’ earlier dominance and their current shortfall highlighted the unpredictable nature of the Hundred format. Individual performances on the day added further colour to the contest. Sophia Dunkley made a quick‑fire contribution of 23 runs off 15 balls, hammering three consecutive boundaries against the spin of Deandra Dottin.
Dottin’s figures, however, were harsh: she went for 32 runs without taking a wicket in her allotted 10 balls, a stark contrast to the earlier success of the Spirit bowlers. Ash Gardner and Sophie Luff also made their presence felt, with Luff scoring 24 off 19 balls before being dismissed by Dottin. De Klerk’s batting display was a blend of power and precision. She was struck for three fours in rapid succession by Gardner, but she responded in kind, launching two fours and three sixes of her own.
Her most dramatic strike came late in the innings when she dispatched a full‑toss from Gardner for a maximum over the covers, a shot that not only showcased her raw power but also underscored her composure under pressure. The day’s schedule also featured a second women’s match that was unfortunately abandoned due to inclement weather at Emirates Old Trafford. The rain prevented any play from commencing at the scheduled 11 a.m. start, leaving the Super Giants and Phoenix without a result.
Looking ahead, the tournament’s latest tables reflect the shifting fortunes of the teams, with Spirit’s win likely propelling them up the standings. Fans can continue to follow the action through live streams on the NOW platform, catch highlights and analysis on the Sky Sports app, or stay updated via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for the latest news, videos, and expert commentary. The weekend’s packed four‑games‑a‑day format gives way to a more traditional double‑header on Monday.
Southern Brave’s women’s side will host MI London at 3 p.m., followed by the men’s fixtures at 6:30 p.m. Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering supporters another opportunity to witness high‑octane cricket in the unique Hundred setting. Overall, the match in Nottingham demonstrated the depth of talent within the Spirit squad, the resilience of the team after an early setback, and the thrilling, fast‑paced nature of the Hundred competition. With Kapp’s incisive bowling and De Klerk’s match‑winning bat, London Spirit Women have set a strong foundation for the remainder of the season, promising more excitement for supporters and a competitive edge as they aim to climb the league table.