SunRisers Leeds earned a place in the Women's Hundred final after a dramatic five‑wicket triumph over Southern Brave in the eliminator staged at The Kia Oval. The match was a roller‑coaster, with SunRisers posting a modest target of 115 runs and then navigating a precarious chase that tested their nerves until the very end. The innings began steadily for SunRisers, but the early loss of their explosive Australian pair, Phoebe Litchfield (who contributed just four runs) and Annabel Sutherland (who made a quick‑fire 17 off 12 balls), left them reeling at 54 for three after 47 deliveries.
The pressure intensified when the talented England seamer Issy Wong struck twice in two balls, reducing the side to 95 for five after 78 balls. Wong, who had already claimed the tournament's leading run‑scorer Litchfield earlier in the game, also dismissed Lauren Winfield‑Hill (who had made a solid 37 off 37) and bowled the captain, Dani Gibson, LBW on the very first ball of her spell. Despite the setbacks, India’s Deepti Sharma kept her composure.
Her unbeaten 28 runs off just 22 balls proved decisive, steering SunRisers home with eleven balls remaining. The final score read SunRisers Leeds 116 for 5 in 89 balls, edging out Southern Brave’s 114 for 7 in the full 100‑ball quota. The result mirrored the form guide: Brave, who had started the tournament with a flawless five‑match winning streak, suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.
SunRisers, the defending champions—having captured last year’s title under the Northern Superchargers banner—entered the final on a five‑match winning run. Their opponents, Trent Rockets, were also in blistering form, having won six straight games to clinch the top spot in the women’s table.
A quick look at the key figures: - Southern Brave 114/7 (100 balls): Lizelle Lee 32 (25 balls), Hannah Baker 2/13, Annabel Sutherland 2/31. - SunRisers Leeds 116/5 (89 balls): Lauren Winfield‑Hill 37 (37 balls), Deepti Sharma 28* (22 balls), Issy Wong 3/21. The eliminator began with SunRisers winning the toss and opting to bowl first.
Lizelle Lee gave Brave a promising start, smashing 32 runs off 25 balls, peppered with five boundaries and a towering six off Kate Cross (who recorded figures of 1/12). That six was the only maximum of the match.
SunRisers’ breakthrough came when Winfield‑Hill executed a sharp stumping of the South African batter, providing the opening wicket off the bowling of Hannah Baker (who finished with 2/13). Baker also removed Charli Knott (who had made 25 off 21) and contributed to a disciplined bowling display that kept Brave’s total just shy of a par score. The spin department was dominated by Issy Wong, who finished with three wickets for 21 runs. Her spell included the crucial dismissal of Litchfield, which reduced Brave to 13 for 2 after just 17 balls.
Later, Wong claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries, putting SunRisers on the brink of a hat‑trick and tightening the chase. At one stage SunRisers required 20 runs from the last 22 balls.
It was Sharma, supported by Jess Jonassen’s quick 10 not out off five deliveries, who steadied the ship. Their partnership, combined with disciplined batting from the middle order, saw the target reached with a comfortable margin. Post‑match analysis from Sky Sports’ Natalie Germanos highlighted a minor lapse at the end of SunRisers’ innings, warning that such errors could be costly in a final against a potent Rockets side.
She emphasized the importance of reading the conditions and maintaining composure throughout the game. Meerkat Match Hero Hannah Baker reflected on the chase, admitting she had never felt as nervous as she did during the final overs but praised the team’s confidence and the helpful advice from Jonassen to “just hit my length.” Looking ahead, SunRisers Leeds will meet Trent Rockets in the Women’s Hundred 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, with additional highlights, podcasts, and analysis available through Sky Sports’ digital platforms.
Overall, the eliminator showcased the high‑stakes drama that defines The Hundred: tight finishes, individual brilliance, and the ever‑present pressure of knockout cricket. SunRisers’ resilience under fire, bolstered by Sharma’s calm finishing and Wong’s incisive spell, earned them a well‑deserved place in the championship match, where they will aim to defend their title against a formidable Rockets side.