The defending champions, SunRisers Leeds, clinched a place in the women’s Hundred eliminator by outpacing Manchester Super Giants by a margin of 41 runs in a decisive showdown at Old Trafford. The match, essentially a winner‑takes‑all encounter for the final slot among the top three teams, saw Australian all‑rounder Annabel Sutherland deliver a blistering unbeaten 62 runs from just 36 balls, propelling Leeds past their rivals and setting up a forthcoming eliminator clash with Southern Brave. Sutherland’s innings was a masterclass in power hitting; she struck nine boundaries, including three towering sixes, as Leeds posted a formidable total of 166‑4 after being sent in to bat.
The momentum she generated was crucial, especially after an early burst from opener Phoebe Litchfield, who raced to 27 runs off only 12 deliveries, briefly overtaking Sophia Dunkley atop the competition’s run‑scoring leaderboard. The Super Giants’ chase began positively, but the visiting side’s spin attack, led by Jess Jonassen, quickly turned the tide. Jonassen claimed three wickets for just 21 runs, while fellow bowlers Deepti Sharma and Sutherland each added two more dismissals.
Manchester’s batting line‑up faltered, managing only 125‑8 in response, which relegated them to fourth place in the standings and ended their campaign. Leeds, now sitting second on the table, will defend their title against Southern Brave on Friday at The Oval.
The winner of that encounter will face table‑topping Trent Rockets in the final scheduled for Sunday at Lord’s. In her post‑match interview, Sutherland, who was named Match Hero, reflected on her performance: "Being an all‑rounder means you’re involved in every phase of the game, and I love the competition, especially when the match feels like a final.
We knew we had to win, and it felt great to deliver for the team." After the decision to bat, Litchfield’s aggressive start continued, but an attempted drag‑down off Mady Villiers resulted in a miscued dismissal. Nevertheless, lower‑order contributions from Bryony Smith (17 off 16) and Lauren Winfield‑Hill (20 off 15) kept the scoreboard moving. Smith was caught by Villiers off a delivery from Kathryn Bryce, while Winfield‑Hill was run‑out after a brief mix‑up, leaving the innings at 83‑3.
Sutherland then took charge, supported by a quick cameo from Dani Gibson, who added 24 runs from 13 balls. When Gibson fell to Villiers with just 12 balls remaining, Leeds stood at a comfortable 119‑4. Sutherland’s subsequent onslaught pushed the total to 166‑4, the highest score recorded in the women’s Hundred to date, and she capped the innings by sending Ryana MacDonald‑Gay for three successive sixes. In response, the Super Giants began their chase with intent, but Jonassen’s skillful bowling soon made an impact, dismissing star batter Smriti Mandhana for 28 with a well‑disguised yorker.
Grave Scrivens contributed a brisk 31 from 24 balls, hitting six fours before being stumped by Winfield‑Hill off Sutherland’s delivery (Sutherland’s figures 2‑17). Richa Ghosh fell two balls later, caught by Jonassen, while Bryce chose to retire out after scoring 15 from 14 balls. Even former captain Meg Lanning could not find rhythm, falling for 10 off 15 balls to Jonassen’s incisive spell. The Super Giants ultimately succumbed to 125‑8, confirming Leeds’ dominance.
After a sluggish start to the tournament, the SunRisers now ride a four‑match winning streak into their upcoming showdown at The Oval, bolstered by confidence and a potent batting lineup. Fans can follow the action across multiple platforms: live streaming is available on NOW without a contract, and highlights, key moments, and full match replays can be accessed via Sky Sports. For real‑time updates, Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel offers the latest news, videos, analysis, and more. The tournament will culminate with the final on Sunday, August 16, where the winner of the Leeds‑Southern Brave eliminator will meet the Trent Rockets at Lord’s for the championship title.