Southern Brave win women’s Hundred

• Southern Brave outclassed Northern Superchargers to win the women’s Hundred final played at Lord’s
• The victory means that Brave captain Anya Shrubsole won The Hundred Trophy in her final game as a professional player

Southern Brave outclassed Northern Superchargers to eventually win the women’s Hundred final played at Lord’s. Brave, who lost to Oval Invincibles in the last two finals, made no mistake this time as they beat Superchargers by 34 runs.

The final, which was the women’s cricket equivalent of prime Arsene Wenger v Alex Ferguson, was played in front of 21,363 spectators at Lord’s. This was a record crowd for a women’s domestic game in England.

Danni Wyatt’s 59 and Freya Kemp’s 31 from just 17 balls helped Brave recover from 8-2 to post a massive 136-9. The victory means that Brave captain Anya Shrubsole won The Hundred Trophy in her final game as a professional player.

Anya Shrubsole lifted the trophy in her final game as a professional.

The pace bowler will join former England teammates Alex Hartley and Katherine Sciver-Brunt into retirement. Speaking after the win, an emotional Shrubsole said helping Southern Brave win the women’s Hundred is among her best moments.

“I’m unbelievably proud. It means a huge amount. It’s right up there [with my best moments]. I’ve got an amazing relationship with Lottie [coach Charlotte Edwards], and to be able to lift the trophy with her as coach is really special.” The Guardian quotes Anya Shrubsole.

Even though it will be difficult to replace Shrubsole’s shrewd captaincy, the new leader should be proud of having Charlotte Edwards as the coach. The 43-year-old coach is a former England skipper who has added The Hundred to the Women’s Premier League title she won with Mumbai Indians earlier this year.

How Southern Brave Won The Hundred

Brave were clear favourites ahead of the 2023 Women’s Hundred final. In Wyatt, they have the leading run-scorer and off-spinner Georgia Adams is the top wicket-taker.

Their opponents Northern Superchargers had qualified for the occasion only by virtue of second-place finish in the group stages. This was after Saturday’s Eliminator at the Oval was washed out.

After nine balls, Brave were eight for two, with the odds taking a battering. Indian player Smriti Mnadhana wafted a catch up to short third and then Maia Bouchier sent up a leading edge to extra cover. Bouchier recently received a call-up to the national team after scoring 264 runs in the group stages of the The Hundred.

Danni Wyatt came firmly to the rescue and was in flow as she rebuilt with attractive strokes through the off side. Adams’ straight drive hit Wyatt, with bowler Cross picking up the rebound before taking off the bails at the non-striker’s end.

Southern Brave have won the women’s title in their third attempt. Photo/ The Hundred.

Freya Kemp came to the rescue, teeing off at the back end and allowing Brave to push forward. Brave managed to reach 139 from their 100 balls.

Despite Northern Superchargers losing to Southern Brave in the final of The Hundred, this has been an impressive campaign for them.