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 Southampton's Utilita Bowl. The climax came when Pope struck the winning runs off the final ball, turning a tense finish into a memorable triumph for the home side. The innings began brightly for Southern Brave, with opener Jamie Smith providing the early spark.
Smith amassed 49 runs from just 26 balls, playing an aggressive knock that kept the Brave in contention. Unfortunately for him, the half‑century eluded him by a whisker, leaving him just one run short of the landmark.
Smith's performance, however, reinforced his growing reputation as a dynamic Test wicket‑keeper who could also make a case for inclusion in England's limited‑overs squads. Beyond Smith, the Brave's batting was largely subdued. The only other notable contribution came from Tristan Stubbs, who managed 38 runs off 31 balls.
Stubbs' cameo was a brief flash of brilliance, but it was insufficient to lift the team past a modest total. In the end, Southern Brave were bundled out for 129 for 9 after using all 100 balls allocated to them, a score that reflected the pressure applied by the MI London bowlers. The bowling effort from MI London was the standout feature of the match.
New Zealand paceman Trent Boulatched on to a superb spell, returning figures of 2 for 15, while England all‑rounder Sam Curran also claimed two wickets for just 22 runs. Their disciplined lines and lengths, combined with strategic variations, kept the Brave's run‑rate in check and forced errors at crucial moments.
The disciplined spell of Boult and Curran set the platform for a low‑scoring chase. When MI London began their chase, the start was anything but smooth. Early wickets fell in rapid succession as James Vince, the team's opening batsman, was dismissed for a duck, followed immediately by No. 3 Nicholas Pooran, also out without scoring.
Both dismissals came at the hands of Marcus Stoinis, who produced figures of 3 for 17, ripping through the top order and leaving MI London reeling at 0 for 2. The situation looked bleak, but captain Sam Curran steadied the ship with a crisp 30 off 29 balls. His innings, anchored by a blend of aggression and composure, helped rebuild the innings. Curran was ably supported by the explosive opening batsman Will Jacks, who smashed 54 runs from just 41 deliveries, showcasing a blend of power hitting and deft shot selection.
Adding to the momentum, Sherfane Rutherford contributed a quickfire 21 off 12 balls, further accelerating the run‑rate and keeping the required total within reach. Despite the resurgence, the Brave fought back, tightening the field and claiming a couple of crucial wickets that left MI London needing six runs from the last five balls. The tension was palpable as the match swung back and forth.
A pivotal moment arrived when Rashid Khan was dismissed, leaving tail‑ender Trent Boult on strike with three runs required from three balls. Boult displayed nerves of steel.
He took a single on the first of those three deliveries, handing the strike back to Ollie Pope. Pope, who had been relatively quiet earlier in the innings, seized the moment.
He sliced the final ball square of the wicket into the outfield, racing two runs to complete the chase. The shot not only secured the win but also highlighted Pope's ability to perform under pressure, capping off a dramatic finish that will be remembered by fans. The victory propelled MI London up to third place on The Hundred league table, putting them level on points with league leaders Manchester Super Giants, albeit with one game in hand. The win also marked a significant morale boost for the franchise, demonstrating their resilience after early setbacks.
Conversely, Southern Brave suffered their third consecutive defeat, sliding to second‑from‑bottom on the standings and prompting questions about their batting depth and strategic approach. Looking ahead, MI London will aim to capitalize on this momentum, hoping to convert the points advantage into a sustained title challenge. Their bowlers, especially Boult and Curran, have shown they can deliver when it matters most, while the top order will look to build on the foundations laid by Jacks, Curran, and Pope. For Southern Brave, the focus will shift to regrouping, refining their batting order, and finding ways to convert good starts into competitive totals.
The Hundred continues to generate excitement across the UK, with upcoming fixtures promising more high‑octane cricket. Fans can follow the latest tables, squad announcements for the 2026 season, and live streams via NOW. Additional coverage, including match highlights and analysis, will be available on Sky Sports, with a double‑header featuring Sunrisers Leeds versus Manchester Super Giants slated for 3:00 pm.
The tournament remains a showcase of emerging talent, strategic innovation, and pure entertainment, keeping cricket enthusiasts eagerly tuned in for every delivery.