SunRisers Leeds earned a place in the women’s final of The Hundred after a gripping five‑wicket triumph over Southern Brave in the eliminator held at The Kia Oval. The match was a roller‑coaster of momentum swings, with SunRisers ultimately posting a modest target of 115 runs and then defending it under pressure to clinch the win with eleven balls remaining. The chase began shakily for SunRisers. After 47 deliveries they found themselves at 54 for three, having lost the dynamic Australian pair of Phoebe Litchfield, who contributed four runs, and Annabel Sutherland, who had smashed an aggressive 17 off 12 balls.
The early setbacks threatened to derail the pursuit, but the team steadied itself and continued to chip away at the required total. A further wobble came at the 78‑ball mark when the score read 95 for five. England’s promising fast bowler Issy Wong struck a decisive blow, snaring two wickets in two consecutive deliveries. Wong, who had already dismissed tournament‑leading run‑scorer Phoebe Litchfield earlier in the innings, also removed Lauren Winfield‑Hill (who had made a useful 37 off 37) and trapped SunRisers captain Dani Gibson lbw on the very first ball she faced.
Her figures of three wickets for 21 runs highlighted her impact on the game. Amid the turmoil, India’s Deepti Sharma displayed composure and skill. Coming in at a crucial juncture, she guided the innings with an unbeaten 28 runs off just 22 balls. Her calm finishing ensured SunRisers crossed the line with a comfortable margin, sealing a 116‑5 victory from 89 balls and booking their ticket to the final at Lord’s on Sunday.
The full scorecard reads as follows: Southern Brave 114/7 (100 balls): Lizelle Lee 32 (25), Hannah Baker 2/13, Annabel Sutherland 2/31 SunRisers Leeds 116/5 (89 balls): Lauren Winfield‑Hill 37 (37), Deepti Sharma 28* (22), Issy Wong 3/21 The result aligned with the season’s narrative. The Brave, who had begun the tournament with an unbeaten five‑match streak, suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, confirming a dip in form after a blistering start. SunRisers, on the other hand, entered the match as defending champions – having lifted the trophy the previous year under the banner of Northern Superchargers – and arrived with five straight wins, positioning them as favorites for the final against the Trent Rockets, who themselves had won six of their last seven games to sit atop the women’s table. The eliminator also featured several noteworthy moments.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, SunRisers saw Lizelle Lee give Brave a solid start with a 32‑run knock off 25 balls, punctuated by five boundaries and a towering six off Kate Cross (who finished with 1/12). This was the only six of the match and underscored Lee’s aggressive intent. A pivotal turning point arrived when Lauren Winfield‑Hill executed a brilliant stumping off the bowling of Hannah Baker, delivering the first breakthrough for SunRisers. Baker later dismissed Charli Knott (who had made 25 off 21) and contributed 2/13 with the ball.
Meanwhile, Issy Wong continued her wicket‑taking spree, cleaning up Litchfield to reduce Brave to 13/2 after just 17 balls. Southern Brave’s bowling attack, featuring international stars, kept SunRisers within touching distance for much of the chase.
Lauren Bell was economical, conceding only 14 runs in her ten‑over spell and picking up the early wicket of Bryony Smith. However, the relentless pressure from Wong and the spin of Sophie Molineux proved too much for the Brave, who ultimately fell short of the par score despite a late‑innings surge from Australian all‑rounder Annabel Sutherland, who added 17 off 12 before being dismissed by Sarah Glenn. In the final overs, SunRisers required 20 runs from 22 balls. Sharma, supported by Jess Jonassen who contributed a quick 10 not out off five deliveries, steadied the ship and saw the chase home.
Their partnership exemplified composure under pressure and highlighted the depth of SunRisers’ batting lineup. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports Cricket’s Natalie Germanos noted a minor lapse at the end of the innings, warning that such mistakes could be costly in the upcoming final against Trent Rockets. She also emphasised the importance of reading the playing conditions correctly. Meanwhile, Brave bowler Hannah Baker described the experience as "the most nerve‑wracking moment of my life" and praised her teammates for their confidence and the strategic advice she received from Jonassen.
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, with the men’s final following at 6:00 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket. Fans can also stream the matches and catch highlights on NOW, provided they use a Chrome browser for optimal video playback. The journey to the final has underscored SunRisers’ resilience, strategic acumen, and the ability to perform under pressure – qualities that will be tested once more as they aim to retain their title in what promises to be a thrilling climax to The Hundred season.