125/3 (20.0)
CR : 6.25
126/7 (20.0)
CR : 6.30
Southern Brave Women won by 1 run 🏆
Player of the Match
Jemimah Rodrigues
32(22)
Over 20
MI London Women 125/3
Danielle Nicole Wyatt-Hodge52(42)
Nicola Carey8(5)
Lauren Bell0-30(20 b)
SB-W won by 1 run
10:20 PM IST, 5:50 PM Local Time: Once again, cricket reminds us why it's called a game of fine margins. Lauren Bell held her nerve under immense pressure, defending eight runs in the final set against a well-set batter to guide Southern Brave to a thrilling one-run victory off the very last ball. Danielle Wyatt-Hodge brought up a hard-fought half-century but struggled to maintain the required scoring rate and ultimately couldn't take MI London over the line. The Southern Brave Women have now won 11 league games in a row, including six consecutive home victories, and all three of their matches so far this season. The only defeat they have seen was in the last season's final; it has been a good couple of seasons for them. On the other hand, MI London are yet to taste victory this season and have now slumped to their third consecutive defeat. Plenty to ponder for them, and in hindsight, they will wonder whether they should have sent Amelia Kerr ahead of Henry and Carey.
Earlier, Southern Brave Women posted 126/8 after a promising start that ultimately fizzled out. Maia Bouchier (31) laid a solid platform with a brisk knock, while Jemimah Rodrigues (32) injected momentum in the middle overs through aggressive running between the wickets. Laura Wolvaardt (35) found her rhythm later, and with both set batters at the crease, the hosts looked well on course for a total in excess of 150. However, MI London staged a remarkable comeback in the closing stages, claiming five wickets in the final five sets while conceding just 22 runs. Hayley Matthews led the charge with a superb four-wicket haul, including the crucial scalp of Rodrigues, as Southern Brave lost their way to finish on 126/8.
In reply, Hayley Matthews and Danni Wyatt-Hodge put on 42 runs for the opening wicket before the former fell to Issy Wong for 32 off 28 balls. However, the partnership came at a relatively slow pace, consuming 37 balls and leaving MI London slightly behind the required rate.
Hollie Armitage (27) and Wyatt-Hodge added a crucial 67 runs for the second wicket, and with wickets in hand, MI London looked favourites to cross the line. However, the Southern Brave Women struck the right lines and lengths consistently, denying the batters easy scoring opportunities and steadily building the pressure.
Wyatt-Hodge (52* off 42) brought up her half-century, but it came at a slow pace, and despite remaining unbeaten until the end, she couldn't take her side over the line. Lauren Bell displayed remarkable composure in the final set, successfully defending eight runs to seal a thrilling one-run victory for Southern Brave.
Sophie Molineux, Issy Wong, and Sarah Glenn bagged one wicket each for the Brave Women and were economical as well, helping their side win three in a row this season.
Earlier, Southern Brave Women posted 126/8 after a promising start that ultimately fizzled out. Maia Bouchier (31) laid a solid platform with a brisk knock, while Jemimah Rodrigues (32) injected momentum in the middle overs through aggressive running between the wickets. Laura Wolvaardt (35) found her rhythm later, and with both set batters at the crease, the hosts looked well on course for a total in excess of 150. However, MI London staged a remarkable comeback in the closing stages, claiming five wickets in the final five sets while conceding just 22 runs. Hayley Matthews led the charge with a superb four-wicket haul, including the crucial scalp of Rodrigues, as Southern Brave lost their way to finish on 126/8.
In reply, Hayley Matthews and Danni Wyatt-Hodge put on 42 runs for the opening wicket before the former fell to Issy Wong for 32 off 28 balls. However, the partnership came at a relatively slow pace, consuming 37 balls and leaving MI London slightly behind the required rate.
Hollie Armitage (27) and Wyatt-Hodge added a crucial 67 runs for the second wicket, and with wickets in hand, MI London looked favourites to cross the line. However, the Southern Brave Women struck the right lines and lengths consistently, denying the batters easy scoring opportunities and steadily building the pressure.
Wyatt-Hodge (52* off 42) brought up her half-century, but it came at a slow pace, and despite remaining unbeaten until the end, she couldn't take her side over the line. Lauren Bell displayed remarkable composure in the final set, successfully defending eight runs to seal a thrilling one-run victory for Southern Brave.
Sophie Molineux, Issy Wong, and Sarah Glenn bagged one wicket each for the Brave Women and were economical as well, helping their side win three in a row this season.
Jemimah Rodrigues has been adjudged Player of the Match!
Jemimah Rodrigues (Player of the Match): "(On another all-round performance) This team has great belief, but I think what sets us apart is the calmness we show under pressure. We just kept believing. When the partnership built, we just kept saying maybe one wicket can turn things around. It's a game of cricket; anything can happen.
(On whether it was a tough surface to bat on) It was a bit tricky to bat on, it was better than what it was before, but I think if we hit good lengths it is difficult to keep getting those boundaries. I think our bowlers bowled really well. I know I'm standing here, but I think one of them should have got it, for sure.
(On her attempted diving catch that went down) I reached that, thought I had it, but last minute it slipped off. Everyone fielded really well; it's important to have intent. Sometimes it sticks, sometimes it doesn't, having a positive mindset is the key."
(On whether it was a tough surface to bat on) It was a bit tricky to bat on, it was better than what it was before, but I think if we hit good lengths it is difficult to keep getting those boundaries. I think our bowlers bowled really well. I know I'm standing here, but I think one of them should have got it, for sure.
(On her attempted diving catch that went down) I reached that, thought I had it, but last minute it slipped off. Everyone fielded really well; it's important to have intent. Sometimes it sticks, sometimes it doesn't, having a positive mindset is the key."
Lowest Win Margins in the Women's Hundred (by run/runs):
1 - Manchester Super Giants vs Trent Rockets, Manchester, 2024
1 - Southern Brave vs MI London, Southampton, 2026, Today*
2 - Southern Brave vs Trent Rockets, Southampton, 2022
2 - Manchester Super Giants vs MI London, The Oval, 2025
2 - London Spirit vs Welsh Fire, Cardiff, 2025
1 - Manchester Super Giants vs Trent Rockets, Manchester, 2024
1 - Southern Brave vs MI London, Southampton, 2026, Today*
2 - Southern Brave vs Trent Rockets, Southampton, 2022
2 - Manchester Super Giants vs MI London, The Oval, 2025
2 - London Spirit vs Welsh Fire, Cardiff, 2025
Most 50-plus Scores in the Women's Hundred:
10 - Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge*
7 - Sophia Dunkley
6 - Alice Capsey
10 - Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge*
7 - Sophia Dunkley
6 - Alice Capsey
Most Runs in the Women's Hundred:
1239 - Danni Wyatt-Hodge*
1223 - Nat Sciver-Brunt
1131 - Sophia Dunkley
1239 - Danni Wyatt-Hodge*
1223 - Nat Sciver-Brunt
1131 - Sophia Dunkley
That's all from this last-ball thriller, where Southern Brave Women edged past MI London by just one run to extend their winning streak to 11 matches overall, six in a row at home, and three from three this season. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. For now, it's me, Deepak Prakash, signing off on behalf of my colleagues, Rajarshi Das and Zeeshan Naiyer. CHEERS!