SunRisers Leeds earned the right to face Trent Rockets in the Women's Hundred final after edging past Southern Brave in a dramatic eliminator at The Kia Oval. The match turned into a tightly contested affair, with SunRisers ultimately posting a modest target of 115 runs. Their chase was fraught with setbacks, but a composed innings from India's Deepti Sharma, who finished unbeaten on 28 runs off 22 balls, steered the side home with eleven deliveries remaining, confirming their place in Sunday’s championship showdown at Lord's.
The game began with SunRisers electing to bowl first. Southern Brave got off to a solid start thanks to a brisk 32‑run knock from Lizelle Lee, who struck five boundaries and a towering six off Kate Cross – the only six of the entire contest. Lee’s aggressive opening laid a foundation, but the Brave’s momentum was soon disrupted by SunRisers wicket‑keeper Lauren Winfield‑Hill, who executed a sharp stumping off the bowling of Hannah Baker, delivering the first breakthrough.
Brave’s innings soon faltered at 54 for three after 47 balls when the Australian partnership of Phoebe Litchfield (4) and Annabel Sutherland (17 off 12) was dismantled. Both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving the chase looking uncertain. The pressure intensified when SunRisers found themselves at 95 for five after 78 balls.
England’s rising star Issy Wong sparked a dramatic swing, snaring two wickets in two deliveries – including the prized wicket of tournament‑leading run‑scorer Phoebe Litchfield – and reducing the opposition to 13 for two within 17 balls. Wong’s spell was a turning point.
In addition to Litchfield, she removed Lauren Winfield‑Hill (who had contributed a steady 37 off 37) and even trapped SunRisers captain Dani Gibson lbw on the very first ball of his innings. Despite these blows, SunRisers managed to rebuild thanks to the calm presence of Deepti Sharma. Sharma’s unbeaten 28, scored at a strike rate of 127, provided the stability the side desperately needed.
She partnered with Jess Jonassen, who added a quickfire 10 not out off just five balls, to push the total beyond the required threshold. The final scoreline read Southern Brave 114‑7 in their allotted 100 balls, with Lizelle Lee’s 32 leading the charge and Hannah Baker claiming two wickets for 13 runs. SunRisers Leeds responded with 116‑5 in 89 balls, securing the win thanks to Winfield‑Hill’s 37, Sharma’s 28* and Wong’s impressive three‑for‑21 figures.
The victory aligned with the tournament’s form guide: Brave, who had dominated the early stages with five consecutive wins, suffered their fourth straight defeat, while SunRisers continued their impressive run of five successive wins heading into the final. SunRisers enter the final as defending champions, having lifted the trophy last season under the moniker Northern Superchargers. Their recent form has been stellar, winning five matches in a row and showcasing a balanced blend of power hitting and disciplined bowling.
Trent Rockets, their opponents for the final, have also been in fine form, clinching six straight victories to secure the top spot on the women’s table. Key moments from the eliminator included a series of crucial wickets taken by the SunRisers bowlers. Hannah Baker’s two‑for‑13 spell featured the dismissal of Charli Knott (25 off 21), while Sophie Molineux’s spin added pressure on the Brave batting line‑up. Lauren Bell, representing Brave, bowled economically with figures of one for 14, but could not prevent the SunRisers from gaining the upper hand.
The match also saw a rare run‑out of Issy Wong on the final ball, underscoring the intensity of the contest. After the eliminator, Sky Sports analyst Natalie Germanos reflected on SunRisers’ performance: "A little hiccup from SunRisers at the end – those are mistakes they can't afford in a final, and certainly not against the Trent Rockets. They need to be careful in terms of reading the conditions, but otherwise, through the day, they didn't get a lot wrong." Meanwhile, Brave’s Meerkat Match Hero Hannah Baker shared her nerves with Sky Sports, saying, "I've never been so nervous in my entire life during the chase!
It's great to get over the line. With the power we have, we were confident we could chase that. Luckily, we got a bit of spin today. I spoke to Jonassen when we were out there and she told me to just hit my length – that's what I did.
Now we've just got to relax and get ready to go again." 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, which offers contract‑free access to The Hundred and other cricket content.
The stage is set for a thrilling climax to the tournament, with SunRisers hoping to defend their title and Rockets aiming to claim their first women's championship.