6:15 PM IST & 1:45 PM Local Time: That's it! A clinical display from the Northern Superchargers at Headingley as they outclassed the Oval Invincibles by 7 wickets with 5 balls to spare. With this defeat, the Oval Invincibles bow out of the tournament, while the Superchargers comfortably sit in 2nd place.
Oval Invincibles’ decision to bat first didn’t pay off as their innings never found rhythm. The promotion of Paige Scholfield backfired instantly, bowled first ball by Ballinger. Alice Capsey scratched around for 12 off 12 before falling, while Annabel Sutherland produced a peach to dismiss Marizanne Kapp for just 6. Meg Lanning tried to anchor the innings but her 21 off 25 was cut short, leaving the visitors constantly searching for momentum and struggling to stitch partnerships.
Lauren Winfield-Hill stood tall with a skipper’s knock when her team needed it most, anchoring the innings before falling for 37 off 30 in the final set. Late cameos from Joanne Gardner (19* off 14) and Amanda-Jade Wellington (12 off 5) pushed the score, but the Invincibles could only manage a below-par 125/6 from their 100 balls. With the ball, Kate Cross (2/16) and Annabel Sutherland (2/26) were the standout performers for the Superchargers.
In reply, the Superchargers flew off the blocks with Alice Davidson-Richards doing most of the scoring in the powerplay, while Davina Perrin held firm at the other end. The Invincibles finally found a breakthrough after the powerplay, as Phoebe Franklin sent Perrin back for 3 off 11. Davidson-Richards then combined with Phoebe Litchfield to add a steady 47-run stand for the second wicket. Litchfield’s attempt at a switch hit brought her downfall on 29 off 21, before Davidson-Richards (50 off 32), after a classy half-century, also departed soon after.
Annabel Sutherland (17* off 16) and Nicola Carey (25* off 15) guided the chase with a steady unbeaten 42-run stand for the 4th wicket, ensuring a smooth finish. The Northern Superchargers sealed the win by 7 wickets with 5 balls remaining, knocking out the 2-time champions Oval Invincibles Women from the tournament.