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 was a roller‑coaster of momentum swings, with SunRisers ultimately posting a modest target of 115 runs and then chasing it down with composure, thanks largely to a calm, unbeaten 28 from India’s Deepti Sharma. The innings began with SunRisers setting a relatively low total.
After a solid start, they found themselves in trouble at 54 for three after 47 deliveries. Both members of their aggressive Australian pair—Phoebe Litchfield, who contributed four runs, and Annabel Sutherland, who smashed 17 off just 12 balls—were dismissed in quick succession. The setback deepened when, at 95 for five after 78 balls, England’s rising star Issy Wong struck twice in two balls, reducing the side to a precarious position.
Wong had already made a significant impact earlier by removing tournament leading run‑scorer Litchfield, and she continued her spell by dismissing Lauren Winfield‑Hill for a quick 37 and trapping captain Dani Gibson lbw on the very first ball she faced. Despite the wickets falling around her, SunRisers managed to steady the ship. Deepti Sharma, showing the poise of a seasoned campaigner, guided the chase with a measured 28 runs off just 22 balls. Her innings, anchored by a series of well‑timed boundaries and clever singles, ensured that SunRisers crossed the finish line with eleven balls to spare, sealing a five‑wicket win and booking a place in the final at Lord’s on Sunday.
The final scoreline read Southern Brave 114 for 7 in their full quota of 100 balls, with Lizelle Lee top‑scoring with 32 off 25. For SunRisers, Lauren Winfield‑Hill contributed a steady 37 off 37, while Sharma’s unbeaten 28 propelled the chase. Wong finished with impressive figures of 3 for 21, underscoring her all‑round impact on the game. The result was consistent with the form guide.
The Brave, who had started the tournament with five straight victories, suffered their fourth consecutive loss, highlighting the competitive nature of The Hundred. SunRisers, defending champions from the previous season when they were known as the Northern Superchargers, entered the match on a five‑game winning streak.
Their opponents, Trent Rockets, had also been in fine form, winning six of their last seven matches and sitting atop the women’s table. The eliminator began with SunRisers electing to bowl first. Lizelle Lee gave Brave a promising start, dispatching a 25‑ball 32 that featured five boundaries and a spectacular six off Kate Cross—the only maximum of the match.
However, SunRisers soon turned the tide when Winfield‑Hill executed a brilliant stumping of the South African batter, providing the first breakthrough. Hannah Baker, who finished with figures of 2 for 13, also claimed the wicket of Charli Knott, while the leg‑spinner Sutherland added two crucial dismissals late in the innings. The Brave’s bowling attack, featuring the likes of Lauren Bell (1 for 14) and the experienced Sarah Glenn (1 for 25), managed to keep SunRisers within reach, but the pressure of a mounting required run rate forced a few errors. The turning point arrived when Issy Wong, already on a roll, dismissed both Litchfield and Winfield‑Hill in rapid succession, briefly putting SunRisers on the back foot.
At that moment, the chase required 20 runs from the remaining 22 balls. Sharma, supported by Jess Jonassen’s quick 10‑run cameo off just five deliveries, steadied the ship. Their partnership, built on disciplined shot selection and occasional boundaries, saw SunRisers inch closer to the target. In the final overs, Sharma’s composure shone through.
She rotated the strike efficiently, capitalised on loose deliveries, and ensured that the required run rate never spiralled out of control. When the final ball was bowled, SunRisers had achieved the needed 115 runs with five wickets in hand, clinching a memorable victory that will see them face Trent Rockets in the championship decider at Lord’s.
Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports Cricket’s Natalie Germanos highlighted a minor lapse in SunRisers’ closing stages, noting that such errors could prove costly in a final against a potent Rockets side. She advised the team to read the conditions carefully and maintain their disciplined approach. Meerkat Match Hero Hannah Baker reflected on the pressure of the chase, describing it as the most nerve‑wracking experience of her career.
She praised the team’s confidence in their power hitting and credited Jess Jonassen for her tactical advice on playing the right length. Looking ahead, SunRisers Leeds will meet Trent Rockets in the women’s final scheduled for 2:15 pm on Sunday, 16 August, with the men’s final following at 6 pm. Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and streamed on the NOW platform for viewers without a contract.
The stage is set for an exciting climax to The Hundred season, with SunRisers hoping to defend their title and Rockets aiming to add a women’s crown to their growing trophy cabinet.