Ollie Pope delivered the decisive runs 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 match unfolded as a classic Hundred showdown, with both sides exchanging blows before the drama culminated in Pope’s calm finish. The opening partnership for Southern Brave was anchored by Jamie Smith, who displayed a blend of aggression and composure to compile 49 runs off just 26 balls. His innings, though falling just shy of a half‑century, was instrumental in giving the Brave a fighting total.
Smith’s ability to find the boundary with ease kept the scoreboard ticking and set a solid platform for his teammates. However, despite his valiant effort, the Brave could not convert his momentum into a larger partnership, and he was eventually dismissed before reaching the fifty‑run mark.
Supporting Smith, the Test‑level wicket‑keeper contributed a modest 38 runs from 31 balls. While his knock was the second‑most significant contribution for the Brave, it was insufficient to lift the innings beyond a modest target. The remainder of the Southern Brave batting line‑up struggled to make an impact, resulting in a total of 129 for 9 wickets after the allotted 100 balls. Their score reflected a combination of disciplined bowling from the opposition and an inability to build substantial partnerships after the top order fell.
The bowling attack for MI London proved to be the decisive factor. Trent Boult, the left‑arm fast bowler, returned figures of 2 for 15, delivering pinpoint line and length that consistently troubled the Brave batters.
His swing and seam movement, especially in the early overs, forced early wickets and kept the run rate in check. Complementing Boult, Sam Curran produced an equally impressive spell, claiming 2 wickets for just 22 runs. Curran’s variations, including slower balls and well‑timed yorkers, proved difficult for the Brave to negotiate, and his disciplined spell helped restrict Southern Brave to a sub‑130 total. When MI London began their chase, the start was anything but smooth.
Opening batsman James Vince was dismissed without scoring, and his immediate successor, the explosive Nicholas Pooran, also fell for a duck on the very next ball. Both dismissals came at the hands of Marcus Stoinis, whose figures of 3 for 17 underscored his impact on the game. Stoinis’s ability to break through the top order early put MI London under immediate pressure, as they found themselves 0 for 2 after just a few deliveries.
The situation began to improve when captain Sam Curran took charge of the innings. Curran, known for his all‑round capabilities, responded with a quickfire 30 runs off 29 balls, stabilising the chase and rotating the strike efficiently.
His partnership with the in‑form opener Will Jacks, who smashed 54 runs from a brisk 41 balls, was pivotal. Jacks’s aggressive strokeplay, punctuated by powerful boundaries and a high strike rate, lifted MI London back into contention.
Adding to the momentum, Sherfane Rutherford contributed a rapid 21 runs off just 12 balls, further accelerating the run rate and bringing the required total within reach. Despite the resurgence, the Brave fought back fiercely in the latter stages, tightening their field placements and applying pressure through tight bowling.
As the innings entered its final phase, MI London required six runs from the last five balls. The tension escalated when Rashid Khan, a key bowler for the Brave, claimed a wicket that left tail‑ender Trent Boult on strike.
With three runs needed from the final three deliveries, the outcome hung in the balance. Boult, demonstrating composure under pressure, managed a single on the penultimate ball, handing the strike to Ollie Pope. Pope, a seasoned England batsman, faced the final delivery with a clear plan. He employed a classic slice, guiding the ball through the outfield and securing two runs.
Those runs clinched the match, handing MI London a thrilling victory and sealing Pope’s place as the hero of the day. The win propelled MI London up to third place in The Hundred standings, matching the points tally of league leaders Manchester Super Giants, albeit having played one additional game.
Southern Brave, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive defeat and found themselves near the bottom of the table, highlighting a challenging season for the franchise. Looking ahead, the tables in The Hundred continue to shift as teams vie for playoff positions. Fans can stay updated with the latest rankings, squad announcements for the 2026 season, and live streaming options available through NOW. Additional coverage, including highlights, analysis, and interviews, will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with upcoming double‑header matches such as Sunrisers Leeds versus Manchester Super Giants offering further excitement for both men’s and women’s competitions.
Overall, the match showcased the unpredictable nature of The Hundred, where a single over or even a single ball can change the course of a game. Ollie Pope’s calm finish, combined with strong contributions from the MI London batting line‑up and disciplined bowling, underscored the importance of resilience and strategic execution in this fast‑paced format.