The defending champions, SunRisers Leeds, clinched a coveted place in the women’s Hundred eliminator by outscoring Manchester Super Giants by a margin of 41 runs in a decisive showdown at Old Trafford. The match, effectively a winner‑takes‑all contest for the final slot among the top three teams, saw Australian all‑rounder Annabel Sutherland deliver a spectacular unbeaten knock of 62 runs from just 36 balls, propelling Leeds past their rivals and setting up a semi‑final clash with Southern Brave. Sutherland’s innings was a masterclass in power hitting and timing.
She struck nine boundaries, including three towering sixes, as Leeds posted a formidable total of 166 for 4 after being sent in to bat. The target proved too steep for the Super Giants, who were bowled out for 125 for 8, ending their campaign in fourth place on the league table. Key contributions with the ball came from visiting spinner Jess Jonassen, who claimed three wickets for just 21 runs. Fellow bowlers Deepti Sharma and Sutherland each added two wickets to the tally, dismantling the Super Giants’ batting line‑up and ensuring a comfortable victory for Leeds.
With the win, second‑placed Leeds will continue their title defence against Southern Brave on Friday at The Oval. The winner of that encounter will face the league‑topping Trent Rockets in the final scheduled for Sunday at Lord’s. Match Hero Annabel Sutherland reflected on her performance, saying, "It’s the beauty of being an all‑rounder – you’re involved in every phase of the game. I love competing, especially when the match feels like a final.
We knew we had to win, and it felt great to deliver for the team." Opening the innings for Leeds, fellow Australian Phoebe Litchfield made an immediate impact. She raced to 27 runs off just 12 deliveries, overtaking Sophia Dunkley to become the leading run‑scorer in the competition at that point. Her aggressive start set the tone for the innings, even though an early mis‑hit off a drag‑down from Mady Villiers briefly halted the momentum.
Nevertheless, contributions from Bryony Smith (17 off 16) and Lauren Winfield‑Hill (20 off 15) kept the scoreboard ticking over. Smith was dismissed caught behind by Villiers off a delivery from Kathryn Bryce, while Winfield‑Hill fell in a run‑out after a mix‑up, leaving Leeds at 83 for 3.
At this juncture, Sutherland took charge, bolstered by a quick cameo from Dani Gibson, who added 24 runs from 13 balls. When Gibson was dismissed by Villiers with only 12 balls remaining, Leeds stood at 119 for 4. Sutherland then accelerated the innings, steering the side to the competition’s highest ever total in the women’s tournament – 166 for 4 at Emirates Old Trafford. She capped the chase with three consecutive sixes off Ryana MacDonald‑Gay, sealing a dominant finish.
In response, the Super Giants began strongly, but Jonassen soon broke the partnership by bowling out Smriti Mandhana for 28, using a cleverly‑flighted yorker to outsmart the Indian batter. Later, Grave Scrivens contributed a brisk 31 runs from 24 balls, hitting six fours before being stumped by Winfield‑Hill off Sutherland’s second‑order spell (2‑17). Richa Ghosh was dismissed two deliveries later, caught behind off Jonassen’s second wicket.
Kathryn Bryce retired out after scoring 15 from 14 balls, and even the experienced Meg Lanning could not find her rhythm, falling for 10 off 15 balls to Jonassen’s disciplined bowling. The Super Giants eventually succumbed to 125 for 8, ending their Hundred journey. The SunRisers’ victory marks a turning point after a sluggish start to the tournament. Riding a four‑match winning streak, they head into the upcoming eliminator with confidence and momentum.
Their blend of explosive batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding has positioned them as serious contenders for the title. Fans can follow the remainder of the Hundred season, including the Friday showdown at The Oval and the climactic final at Lord’s, through live streams on NOW and Sky Sports. The competition continues to showcase emerging talent and thrilling performances, promising more unforgettable moments as teams vie for the coveted championship.