Cricket

Northern Superchargers continued their impressive run in The Hundred women's competition with a resounding 61-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix, solidifying their position in the top three of the standings.The Superchargers, who had previously dismissed Oval Invincibles for the lowest score in the competition (64), repeated the feat against Phoenix, bowling them out for a mere 54 runs, the lowest total in the tournament's history.Opting to bat first, Superchargers faced an early setback when Phoenix captain Ellyse Perry dismissed Holly Armitage with her third delivery. However, Annabel Sutherland and Alice Davidson-Richards steadied the innings, guiding the visitors to 68 for 3 before Sutherland departed.Davidson-Richards remained unbeaten on 49 off 42 deliveries, anchoring the Superchargers' innings and helping them post a competitive total of 115 for 5.Phoenix's chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost four key batters for just 14 runs. Sterre Kalis, Perry, Amy Jones, and Richa Ghosh all fell cheaply, leaving the home side in disarray.The Superchargers bowlers shared the wickets around, with Linsey Smith and Georgia Wareham claiming three wickets each. Smith's double-wicket maiden towards the end of the innings sealed the victory for the visitors.Davidson-Richards, who was named the Meerkat Match Hero, acknowledged the challenging batting conditions but expressed delight at her team's performance. She highlighted the importance of building an innings and finding gaps for boundaries.The Superchargers will now face table-toppers Welsh Fire in a crucial away match, aiming to continue their winning streak and strengthen their position in the top three.

Somerset's Riley Meredith orchestrated a devastating bowling performance at Lord's, leading his team to a resounding nine-wicket victory over Middlesex in the Vitality Blast. The Tasmanian quick claimed 4 for 12, while Craig Overton, Josh Davey, and Ben Green chipped in with two wickets each, as Middlesex crumbled to their lowest-ever score in the competition's history.Middlesex's batting woes began early, with Martin Andersson's early boundaries proving to be a false dawn. Meredith's dismissal of Andersson triggered a collapse, with Stephen Eskinazi and Holden falling to reckless shots. Overton's maiden over to Ryan Higgins further tightened the screws, and Joe Cracknell edged Meredith to wicketkeeper Tom Banton.By the time the opening bowlers departed, Middlesex were reeling at 34 for 6. Green's introduction proved equally devastating, as he removed Luke Hollman and Blake Cullen with his first two deliveries. Noah Cornwell and Tom Helm provided some resistance with a defiant 28-run stand, but their efforts were in vain.Somerset's chase was far less eventful. Banton and Tom Kohler-Cadmore both survived early chances, and they proceeded to guide their team to victory with ease. Banton finished unbeaten on 49, while Kohler-Cadmore contributed 30 not out.Middlesex's defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of the South Group, while Somerset's third win of the campaign moves them up the standings. The match will be remembered for Meredith's exceptional bowling display and Middlesex's abject batting performance, which saw them bowled out for a paltry 79 runs.