SunRisers Leeds earned their place in the women's final of The Hundred by edging out Southern Brave in a tightly contested eliminator at The Kia Oval. The match, which turned into a five‑wicket thriller, saw SunRisers chase down a modest target of 115 runs, ultimately sealing a 116‑5 win with eleven balls to spare and booking a showdown with Trent Rockets at Lord's on Sunday. The chase began under pressure. After 47 deliveries SunRisers found themselves at 54 for three, having lost both members of their explosive Australian partnership – Phoebe Litchfield, who contributed just four runs, and Annabel Sutherland, who had struck an aggressive 17 off 12 balls.
Their early dismissals left the side looking vulnerable, and the situation worsened when the disciplined left‑arm seamer Issy Wong struck twice in as many balls to bring the score to 95 for five after 78 deliveries. Wong, who earlier removed tournament‑leading run‑scorer Phoebe Litchfield, also claimed the wicket of Lauren Winfield‑Hill (who had made a steady 37 off 37) and trapped SunRisers captain Dani Gibson lbw on the very first ball of her innings. Despite the setbacks, India’s all‑rounder Deepti Sharma kept her composure. Sharma, who entered the fray with the scoreboard ticking at 95‑5, produced an unbeaten 28 runs off just 22 balls.
Her calm, measured knock anchored the chase, allowing SunRisers to accelerate in the final overs and cross the finish line with a comfortable margin. The partnership between Sharma and lower‑order bowler Jess Jonassen, who contributed a quick 10 runs off five balls, proved decisive, turning a precarious situation into a confident victory. The match statistics underline the tight nature of the contest.
Southern Brave posted 114 for 7 in their full quota of 100 balls, with Lizelle Lee top‑scoring with 32 off 25. Their bowling attack, featuring Hannah Baker (2‑13) and Annabel Sutherland (2‑31), managed to keep SunRisers in check for much of the innings. On the other side, SunRisers’ bowlers recorded figures of 116‑5 in just 89 balls, with Lauren Winfield‑Hill’s steady 37 anchoring the batting effort, and Issy Wong’s three‑wicket haul (3‑21) providing crucial breakthroughs. The outcome aligned with the form guide heading into the match.
Brave, who had begun the tournament with a flawless five‑match winning streak, suffered their fourth consecutive loss, while SunRisers – defending champions from the previous season when they were known as the Northern Superchargers – continued their impressive run, now boasting five straight victories heading into the final. Trent Rockets, who sit atop the women's table after winning six of their last seven games, will be a formidable opponent. Key moments of the eliminator added drama.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Brave’s opening batter Lizelle Lee set a solid platform with a 32‑run, 25‑ball innings that featured five boundaries and a spectacular straight six off Kate Cross (who finished with 1‑12). However, SunRisers responded swiftly when Lauren Winfield‑Hill executed a brilliant stumping off the bowling of Hannah Baker, delivering the first breakthrough.
Baker later dismissed Charli Knott (25 off 21) and contributed two wickets overall, while Sophie Molineux’s side struggled to reach a par score despite a resilient 22‑run knock from the Australian. The spin department played a pivotal role. Issy Wong’s early spell saw her clean up Litchfield, reducing the chase to 13‑2 after just 17 balls. Later, Wong flirted with a hat‑trick, taking two wickets in consecutive deliveries and putting SunRisers under immense pressure.
At one point the side required 20 runs from the final 22 balls, but Sharma’s steady hand and Jonassen’s quickfire cameo ensured the target was met without further drama. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports’ Natalie Germanos highlighted the narrow margin for error: “SunRisers had a small hiccup 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 many things wrong throughout the day.” Brave’s Hannah Baker, named the Meerkat Match Hero, reflected on the tension of the chase: “I’ve never been so nervous in my life during a chase! It felt great to get over the line. With the power we have, we were confident we could chase it, and the spin helped us a lot.
I talked to Jonassen, and she told me to just play 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 women's 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 key moments and highlights. The stage is set for a compelling climax to the tournament, with SunRisers aiming to defend their title against a Rockets side that has shown remarkable consistency throughout the season.