Cricket

Heather Knight, England's T20I captain, has hailed Dani Gibson's "bravery" and "clarity" as essential qualities for the team ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. Gibson's explosive nine-ball innings of 22, featuring five boundaries, transformed the Hundred final at Lord's, propelling London Spirit to their maiden title.Knight praised Gibson's ability to impact the game in all facets, despite her recent struggles with the ball. "She's a great ball-striker with a clear understanding of her game plan," Knight said. "Her willingness to take risks and express her talent is exactly what we need in the England side."Gibson's innings came at a crucial juncture, with Spirit needing 60 runs off 44 balls after Knight's dismissal. She immediately hit her first five balls for boundaries, reducing the required run rate to a manageable level. "I was thinking yesterday that our middle order hadn't faced many balls recently," Knight explained. "Dani's innings was a standout example of bravery and taking the game on."Gibson's performance also highlighted the depth of England's batting lineup. "It's great to see the rest of the girls contributing," Knight said. "Nat [Sciver-Brunt] has been unbelievable, and I'm very excited to meet up again in a couple of weeks."With the T20 World Cup approaching, Knight believes that England's dominant performances in the Hundred have instilled confidence in the team. "I'm really pleased with how we've played," she said. "It's important to have players who can step up and take responsibility."However, there is uncertainty surrounding the tournament's location due to security concerns in Bangladesh. "It's out of our hands," Knight said. "Hopefully, there will be a decision soon so we can plan accordingly."

Deepti Sharma's Heroics Lead London Spirit to The Hundred Women's TitleIn a thrilling finale at Lord's, Deepti Sharma's match-winning six propelled London Spirit to a four-wicket victory over Welsh Fire Women, securing their maiden The Hundred Women's title.Chasing a modest target of 116, London Spirit faced a stern test after losing six wickets for 110 runs. However, Deepti remained unfazed, guiding her team to victory with an unbeaten 16 off 16 balls.Earlier, Welsh Fire Women had posted a competitive 115-8, thanks to Tammy Beaumont's 21 off 16 and Jess Jonassen's 54 off 41. London Spirit's bowlers, led by Tara Norris and Sarah Glenn, kept the pressure on, restricting Welsh Fire to a manageable total.As the chase reached its climax, London Spirit needed 11 runs from the last 12 balls. Deepti, who had already contributed with the ball by taking 1-23, stepped up with the bat. Her calculated shots and composure ensured that London Spirit stayed on track.With 4 runs needed off 3 balls, Deepti displayed nerves of steel, launching Hayley Matthews' delivery over the boundary to seal the victory. Her six not only won the match but also capped off an incredible tournament for the all-rounder.London Spirit's innings saw several key contributions, with captain Heather Knight's 24 off 18 and Georgia Redmayne's 34 off 32 providing a solid foundation. However, it was Deepti's finishing touch that stole the show.

London Spirit's women's team has secured a spot in the Hundred final against Welsh Fire at Lord's after an impressive eight-wicket victory over Oval Invincibles. The Spirit's triumph marks their first final appearance in the competition's history and ensures that all eight teams from both the men's and women's divisions have now reached the Hundred final.Opting to bowl first, the Spirit bowlers put in a disciplined performance, restricting the Invincibles to a modest total of 113 for 9. Charlie Dean led the bowling attack with impressive figures of 3 for 24, while Sarah Glenn and Deepti Sharma also contributed with economical spells.Invincibles captain Lauren Winfield-Hill made a promising start, hitting three boundaries in the second set, but was dismissed for 21 by Dean. Alice Capsey top-scored for the Invincibles with 30, but her innings was cut short by Danielle Gibson. Marizanne Kapp also made a valuable contribution of 26, but the Spirit bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings.Chasing 114 for victory, the Spirit openers, Georgia Redmayne and Meg Lanning, got off to a solid start, reaching 33 for 0 after the powerplay. Lanning was eventually dismissed for 22, but Redmayne continued to anchor the innings, finishing unbeaten on 53 from 47 balls.Heather Knight, the Spirit captain, provided excellent support with an unbeaten 36, and the pair shared an unbroken stand of 74 to guide their team to victory with 18 balls to spare.Redmayne, who was named the Meerkat Match Hero, expressed her delight at the team's performance: "It's really special. We came into this game in really good spirits. We knew if we did the simple things right that we've got the team to be able to win the game and get to a Lord's final at home which is going to be incredible."

The London Spirit, led by star allrounder Deepti Sharma, are poised to face the Oval Invincibles in the Women's Hundred eliminator on Saturday. Deepti has been a formidable force against the Invincibles this season, showcasing her all-around prowess.In their first encounter at Lord's, Deepti top-scored for Spirit with 44 runs and claimed three wickets for 18 runs. In their second meeting at The Oval, she again impressed with an unbeaten 46 runs and three wickets for 18 runs.Deepti's performances have been crucial for Spirit, who are determined to secure a place in Sunday's final against Welsh Fire. "We are very clear about what we have to do and our plans," Deepti said. "We just need to keep it simple and enjoy each game."Deepti has been a consistent performer for Spirit, scoring at least 30 runs in each of her five innings and taking seven wickets at an impressive average of 19.57. She was named Player of the Match in the final game of the regular season, guiding Spirit to a seven-wicket victory over Northern Superchargers.The boom in franchise leagues has fostered a unique camaraderie among players from different countries. Deepti has forged strong bonds with England captain Heather Knight, former Australia captain Meg Lanning, and England spinners Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean."I always forget in-the-past things," Deepti said. "I try to be in the present and watch the moment. They are good players and good team-mates, so we gel up every day."Spirit faced an anxious wait for their place in the eliminator to be confirmed, but they ultimately secured their spot after the Invincibles defeated Trent Rockets in their final regular match.The Invincibles, seeking their third Hundred title, will be without Chamari Athapaththu, who has joined Sri Lanka for their ODI series in Ireland. However, they will rely on the match-winning abilities of Marizanne Kapp, who has been instrumental in their success this season.Kapp's all-around contributions, including 181 runs and 10 wickets, have earned her high praise from Invincibles captain Lauren Winfield-Hill. "She's absolutely the first name on any teamsheet in any competition anywhere in the world," Winfield-Hill said.The eliminator promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. Deepti Sharma's all-around brilliance and the Invincibles' formidable lineup will make for an exciting contest.

London Spirit's Heather Knight and Deepti Sharma orchestrated a commanding seven-wicket victory over Northern Superchargers at Headingley in the Hundred, propelling their team into contention for the play-off stages while eliminating their opponents.The Spirit's bowlers set the tone, dismantling the Superchargers' top order within the first 14 deliveries. Tara Norris, Eva Gray, and Dani Gibson each claimed a wicket, including the prized scalp of Phoebe Litchfield. Annabel Sutherland attempted to salvage the innings, but her dismissal off Deepti's bowling extinguished any hopes of a substantial total. Alice Davidson-Richards' 33 provided some respite, but the Superchargers' 99 for 7 felt inadequate.In the chase, Meg Lanning's early sixes propelled the Spirit ahead of the required run rate. Linsey Smith briefly raised Superchargers' hopes with three wickets, but Knight and Deepti's partnership proved unbreakable. Their patient approach transformed into an acceleration towards the end, securing the victory with relative ease.Deepti, the Meerkat Match Hero, attributed the triumph to the bowlers' execution and her own adaptability to challenging conditions. She emphasized the team's focus on their own performances and their anticipation of the upcoming fixtures that will determine the final play-off standings.

Oval Invincibles secured their place in the knockout rounds of The Hundred with a dominant nine-wicket victory over London Spirit at The Kia Oval. Jordan Cox, who was recently selected for the England Men's Test team, played a pivotal role in the win, smashing an unbeaten 61 off just 30 balls.The Spirit, who were already eliminated from contention, struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 96 runs in their first innings. Michael Pepper provided a bright start with a quickfire 27, but his dismissal triggered a collapse that saw Spirit lose five wickets for just 52 runs.Adam Zampa, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, continued his fine run with figures of 4 for 17. Ollie Stone, another England Men's squad member, also bowled well, conceding just 16 runs from his four overs.Invincibles' chase was never in doubt, with Cox leading the charge from the outset. The 21-year-old opener struck seven fours and two sixes, including the winning blow that sealed the victory with 37 balls to spare.The win means Sam Billings' side, who have won six of their seven games, are guaranteed a place in the top three of the men's competition. Their final game against Trent Rockets will determine whether they will advance directly to The Hundred Final on August 18 or play in The Hundred Eliminator the day before.

Oval Invincibles secured a crucial victory over London Spirit in The Hundred, boosting their chances of reaching the tournament's final.Chasing a modest target of 120, Invincibles captain Lauren Winfield-Hill led the charge with a composed half-century (61 off 40 balls). She formed a solid partnership with Marizanne Kapp (30* off 21 balls), who provided the finishing touches to seal the eight-wicket win with nine balls to spare.London Spirit's innings had been rescued by Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who guided her team to a respectable total of 120 for 8. Sharma's unbeaten 46 off 34 balls, along with Eva Gray's 22, helped Spirit recover from a precarious 47 for 7.Invincibles bowlers had initially dominated, with Kapp dismissing Meg Lanning for a duck and taking a wicket apiece. However, Sharma and Gray's partnership of 73 for the eighth wicket proved crucial.In the chase, Winfield-Hill played intelligently, nullifying the threat of Spirit's spinners and finding boundaries with ease. Kapp provided support, adding impetus to the chase and ensuring a comfortable victory.The win leaves Invincibles in control of their destiny with one game remaining. They can secure a place in the Eliminator with a win in their final match. For London Spirit, they need to win their last game and hope for favorable results elsewhere to qualify for the top three.

London Spirit emerged victorious in their clash against Manchester Originals at Lord's, securing an eight-wicket triumph with eight balls remaining. Georgia Redmayne's stellar performance, coupled with Heather Knight's composed innings, proved decisive in the chase.Despite a challenging start, Redmayne showcased her resilience, amassing 66 runs from 59 deliveries. Her innings was characterized by patience and determination, guiding Spirit towards their target. Knight, the England skipper, provided valuable support with a composed 29 from 27 balls.The Originals' defense was hampered by missed opportunities, with dropped catches on both Redmayne and Knight proving costly. The Spirit's fielding was exceptional throughout, including a brilliant caught and bowled by Sarah Glenn and a superb catch in the deep by Cordelia Griffith.Earlier, Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn restricted the Originals to a modest 112 runs. Dean's impressive spell yielded three wickets for just 20 runs, while Glenn's contribution included a crucial caught and bowled. Kathryn Bryce emerged as the top scorer for the Originals with 32 runs from 27 balls.Redmayne, the Meerkat Match Hero, acknowledged the challenging nature of the wicket but praised her team's bowling performance. She emphasized the importance of staying calm and playing to her strengths.The victory marks a significant achievement for London Spirit, who have now secured two wins in the competition. Redmayne's match-winning knock and the team's overall performance have instilled confidence as they look ahead to their remaining fixtures.

Trent Rockets' Aussie duo Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King orchestrated a dominant 31-run victory over London Spirit at Trent Bridge, snapping a three-game losing streak.Gardner and King combined for six wickets, dismantling a star-studded Spirit lineup that failed to chase down a modest target of 158 for 5. Youngster Grace Scrivens led the Rockets' batting charge with a scintillating 55 from 43 deliveries, sharing a 74-run opening stand with Bryony Smith.Despite losing Sciver-Brunt early, Heather Graham's unbeaten 22 from 12 balls propelled the Rockets to a competitive total. Spirit's chase faltered from the outset as Gardner dismissed Georgia Redmayne and Cordelia Griffith in quick succession. King then removed Meg Lanning, while Gardner trapped Dani Gibson lbw.Heather Knight's dismissal at the hands of King effectively sealed the victory for the Rockets. Gardner and King finished with identical figures of 3 for 23 from 20 balls, restricting Spirit to 127 for 7."It was huge for us," said Gardner, the Meerkat Match Hero. "It was probably the first game we put all three facets of the game together. The openers did a fantastic job, and we were pretty clean in the field. It was a pretty perfect performance."The Rockets' victory was a testament to their all-around performance, with Scrivens' batting brilliance, Gardner and King's bowling prowess, and a solid fielding display. It will serve as a confidence booster for the team as they look to climb the standings in the remaining matches of The Hundred.