SunRisers Leeds earned their place in the women’s final of The Hundred by edging past Southern Brave in a tightly contested eliminator at The Kia Oval. The match turned into a gripping five‑wicket win that saw SunRisers chase down a modest target of 115 runs, ultimately sealing a spot in the championship showdown against the Trent Rockets at Lord's.
The chase began shakily for the Leeds side. After 47 deliveries they found themselves at 54 for three, a precarious position that was exacerbated by the early dismissals of their aggressive Australian pair, Phoebe Litchfield (caught for just four runs) and Annabel Sutherland (who fell after a blistering 17 off 12 balls). The pressure intensified further when, after 78 balls, SunRisers were 95 for five. At that juncture, England’s rising star Issy Wong produced a game‑changing spell, snaring two wickets in as many balls to bring the score to 95‑5.
Wong had already made an impact earlier by removing tournament leading run‑scorer Litchfield, and she continued her dominance by dismissing Lauren Winfield‑Hill (who had contributed a steady 37 off 37) and then trapping captain Dani Gibson LBW on the very first ball of her spell. Despite the mounting setbacks, the innings was rescued by India’s seasoned all‑rounder Deepti Sharma. Sharma, who entered the fray with the team under pressure, displayed remarkable composure.
She compiled an unbeaten 28 runs off just 22 balls, steering SunRisers steadily toward the finish line. Her innings, punctuated by confident boundary hitting and clever placement, ensured that the side crossed the target with eleven balls remaining, clinching a five‑wicket win and a ticket to the final scheduled for Sunday at Lord's.
The final scoreboard read: Southern Brave 114/7 (100 balls) – top scorer Lizelle Lee 32 off 25; notable bowling figures for Brave included Hannah Baker 2/13 and Annabel Sutherland 2/31. SunRisers Leeds 116/5 (89 balls) – Lauren Winfield‑Hill 37 off 37, Deepti Sharma 28* off 22; Issy Wong claimed three wickets for 21 runs. The result aligned with the tournament’s recent trends. The Brave, who had dominated the early stages of the competition with a perfect five‑win start, suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, highlighting the volatile nature of The Hundred’s short format.
SunRisers, meanwhile, entered the match as defending champions – they had previously won the women’s competition under the banner of Northern Superchargers – and they arrived with a five‑match winning streak, positioning themselves as favorites against the Rockets, who themselves had secured six straight victories to finish atop the women’s table. The eliminator also featured several pivotal moments beyond the main chase. After winning the toss, SunRisers elected to field first. Brave opener Lizelle Lee provided a solid start, crafting a 32‑run knock off 25 balls that featured five fours and a spectacular six off Kate Cross (who finished with figures of 1/12).
This six was the sole maximum hit in the entire match. The breakthrough for SunRisers arrived when Winfield‑Hill executed a sharp stumping of the South African batter, a dismissal that came off the bowling of Hannah Baker (2/13). Baker also claimed the wicket of Charli Knott (who had made 25 off 21) and contributed to a disciplined bowling effort that kept the Brave’s total below par. Issy Wong’s spell proved decisive.
After removing Litchfield early, she continued to dismantle the Brave line‑up, taking the wickets of Lauren Winfield‑Hill and captain Dani Gibson in rapid succession. Her three‑for‑21 spell not only broke the momentum of the opposition but also placed her among the joint‑top wicket‑takers for the tournament.
The Brave’s other bowlers, including Lauren Bell (1/14) and Sarah Glenn (1/25), performed admirably, but the pressure applied by the Leeds bowlers, especially Wong and Baker, proved too much for the chase. In the latter stages of the innings, SunRisers required 20 runs from the final 22 balls.
Sharma, supported by Jess Jonassen’s quick 10 not out off five deliveries, managed the chase with composure, rotating the strike and finding boundaries at crucial moments. Their partnership ensured the required run rate was met without panic, and the win was secured with a handful of balls to spare. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports Cricket’s Natalie Germanos highlighted the narrow escape: "SunRisers showed a small lapse at the end, and in a final against Trent Rockets they can’t afford such errors. They need to read the conditions carefully, but overall they executed most of their plan well." Meanwhile, Brave’s Meerkat Match Hero Hannah Baker reflected on the pressure of the chase, saying, "I’ve never been so nervous in my life during a chase.
It felt great to get over the line. We knew we had the power to chase, and a bit of spin helped us. Jonassen advised me to stick to my length, which I did, and 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, August 16. The final is scheduled for a 2:15 pm start, followed by the men’s final at 6:00 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
Fans can also stream the action on the NOW platform, which offers contract‑free viewing for a broader audience. The stage is set for a thrilling climax to The Hundred season, with SunRisers aiming to defend their title and the Rockets looking to cap off an impressive campaign with championship glory.