SunRisers Leeds earned their place in the women’s championship match of The Hundred after edging past Southern Brave in a dramatic eliminator at The Kia Oval. The contest was a tightly contested five‑wicket triumph that saw SunRisers post a modest target of 115 runs, only to chase it down with composure and a few crucial partnerships.
The innings began on a shaky note for SunRisers. After 47 deliveries they found themselves at 54 for three wickets, having lost the dynamic Australian pair of Phoebe Litchfield, who contributed four runs, and the hard‑hitting Annabel Sutherland, who was dismissed after a brisk 17 off 12 balls.
The pressure mounted further when the talented England seamer Issy Wong produced a devastating spell, taking two wickets in consecutive balls to leave the side reeling at 95 for five after 78 balls. Wong’s impact was decisive; she not only removed the tournament’s leading run‑scorer Litchfield earlier in the game but also claimed the wicket of SunRisers captain Dani Gibson, who was given out LBW on the very first ball she faced. In addition, Wong dismissed Lauren Winfield‑Hill, who had been a steady 37‑run contributor. Despite these setbacks, India’s all‑rounder Deepti Sharma kept her cool.
Sharma, who had already been a key figure throughout the tournament, played a measured innings of 28 not out from just 22 balls. Her unbeaten knock provided the stability SunRisers needed, and she guided the side to the finish line with eleven balls remaining, sealing a 5‑wicket win and a ticket to the final at Lord’s on Sunday. The final scoreline read Southern Brave 114 for 7 in their full 100‑ball allotment, with Lizelle Lee top‑scoring with 32 off 25 balls. For SunRisers, Lauren Winfield‑Hill contributed a solid 37 off 37, while Sharma’s 28* proved decisive.
Issy Wong finished with impressive figures of 3 for 21, underscoring her all‑round impact on the match. The result aligned with the broader narrative of the tournament. The Brave, who had started the competition in blistering form with five straight victories, suffered their fourth consecutive loss, indicating a dip in momentum. SunRisers, meanwhile, entered the eliminator as defending champions – they had captured the women’s title the previous season under the moniker Northern Superchargers – and were riding a five‑match winning streak into the final.
Their opponents, Trent Rockets, have also been in superb form, winning six of their last seven games and sitting atop the women’s table. A quick recap of the eliminator’s key moments provides further insight.
After winning the toss, SunRisers elected to bowl first. Lizelle Lee gave Brave a solid start, smashing a 25‑ball 32 that featured five boundaries and a spectacular straight six off Kate Cross, the only six of the match.
The turning point arrived when SunRisers’ wicket‑keeper Lauren Winfield‑Hill executed a remarkable stumping of the South African batter, breaking the opening partnership and sparking a cascade of wickets. Hannah Baker, who finished with figures of 2 for 13, also dismissed Charli Knott, while Sharma’s disciplined spell (1 for 24) placed her among the tournament’s leading wicket‑takers. The Brave’s bowling attack, bolstered by international experience, kept SunRisers within reach for much of the chase. Lauren Bell’s economical spell (1 for 14) featured an early wicket of Bryony Smith, and Wong’s early breakthroughs reduced the target to 13 for 2 after just 17 balls.
Sutherland’s quick 17 off 12 was cut short by Sarah Glenn, and Winfield‑Hill’s promising innings was threatened when Wong claimed two wickets in two balls, flirting with a hat‑trick. At that juncture, SunRisers required 20 runs from the final 22 balls.
Sharma, supported by Jess Jonassen’s rapid 10 not out off five deliveries, steadied the ship and saw the team home. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports’ Natalie Germanos highlighted the narrow margin for error that SunRisers faced: "A little hiccup from SunRisers at the end – those are mistakes they can’t afford in a final, especially against Trent Rockets. They need to read the conditions carefully, but overall they did not get much wrong throughout the day." Meerkat Match Hero Hannah Baker reflected on the pressure of the chase: "I’ve never been so nervous in my entire life during a chase!
It felt great to cross the line. With the power we have, we were confident we could chase it, and the spin we got helped.
I talked to Jonassen and she told me to stick to my length – that’s exactly what I did. Now we just need to relax and get ready for the next game." Looking ahead, SunRisers Leeds will meet Trent Rockets in the women’s final at Lord’s on Sunday, 16 August. The final is scheduled for 2:15 pm, followed by the men’s final at 6:00 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
Fans can also stream the action on NOW, which offers contract‑free access to The Hundred’s marquee matches. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to a season that has showcased high‑octane cricket, strategic brilliance, and the emergence of new talents across the women’s game.