Cricket

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.

Southern Brave's title defense in the Women's Hundred has come to an end, leaving head coach Charlotte Edwards to reflect on a disappointing campaign. Despite a promising start, Brave struggled to maintain consistency, losing six of their eight matches.The season began with a narrow defeat to London Spirit, followed by a tie with Northern Superchargers. A solitary win against Oval Invincibles provided a glimmer of hope, but Brave's fortunes took a turn for the worse with a heavy loss to Welsh Fire in their final match.Edwards acknowledged the team's inconsistent performances, stating that they failed to put together a complete game. She highlighted the growing strength and depth of teams in the Hundred, emphasizing the need for Brave to improve in all aspects.While the disappointment of the failed title defense is still fresh, Edwards plans to conduct a thorough analysis of the season's shortcomings. She believes that a full review will help identify areas for improvement and guide the team's preparations for the 2025 edition of the tournament.Edwards also expressed her desire to continue as coach of Southern Brave and Mumbai Indians, despite the latter's unsuccessful WPL campaign. She emphasized the importance of franchise leagues in the growth of women's cricket and called for exclusive windows to avoid clashes with bilateral series.Edwards' comments align with those of Jhulan Goswami, her Mumbai Indians bowling coach, who has advocated for protected windows for franchise leagues. Edwards believes that three exclusive windows for the WPL, Hundred, and WBBL would allow the best players to participate in both international and franchise cricket without scheduling conflicts.

Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in their Women's Hundred clash against Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford, securing a comfortable seven-wicket win. The victory marked a return to form for the Invincibles, who had endured a two-game winless streak.The Originals, seeking redemption after a disappointing loss to Northern Superchargers, posted a modest total of 125 for 4. Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney provided a solid start, but their momentum was halted by sharp catches from Seren Smale and Ryana MacDonald-Gay. Skipper Sophie Ecclestone provided a late surge with an unbeaten 26 from 15 balls.In response, the Invincibles' chase was anchored by an unbeaten 67-run partnership between Paige Scholfield and Marizanne Kapp. Scholfield, the Meerkat Match Hero, struck 48 from 27 balls, while Kapp contributed 19 from 11. Opener Chamari Athapaththu laid the foundation with a steady 33 from 36 balls.The Invincibles' fielding was equally impressive, with Amanda-Jade Wellington emerging as the standout bowler with figures of 2 for 22. The team's disciplined performance and ability to capitalize on the Originals' mistakes proved decisive.The victory propelled the Invincibles to second place in the points table, while the Originals remained in sixth position. Both teams will be eager to maintain their momentum in their upcoming fixtures.

Welsh Fire's dominant performance at Sophia Gardens propelled them to the summit of the women's Hundred standings, as they comfortably defeated Southern Brave by seven wickets.Hayley Matthews' exceptional bowling display, claiming three wickets for just 16 runs, proved instrumental in restricting Southern Brave to a meager total of 84. The Brave's batting lineup struggled to cope with the seam and spin bowling, with none of their batters managing to establish a significant partnership.Georgia Adams emerged as the top scorer for Southern Brave with a modest 17 runs, while Matthews' all-around brilliance shone through. The West Indian all-rounder's accurate bowling was complemented by a superb fielding effort, with Phoebe Franklin and Tammy Beaumont taking crucial catches to dismiss Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt, respectively.Welsh Fire's chase began cautiously, with Sophia Dunkley falling for a golden duck. However, Beaumont and Bryce steadily accumulated runs, gradually chipping away at the target. Beaumont's dismissal by Lauren Cheatle, who was the most economical bowler for Southern Brave, left Jess Jonassen with the task of guiding Fire to victory.Jonassen's composed batting ensured Fire's fourth win in this year's Hundred, solidifying their position at the top of the table.Matthews, the Meerkat Match Hero, attributed her success to precise bowling and the team's collective effort. "I tried to pitch it in good areas and keep my lines straight," she said. "There was some turn and bounce in the pitch, so I focused on keeping the stumps in play.""We've been playing well as a team and having everyone contribute," Matthews added. "Getting the wicket from the first ball gave us a great start, and we just built on that momentum."

Welsh Fire's relentless pursuit of 151 runs at Lord's culminated in a thrilling six-wicket victory over London Spirit, marking the visitors' highest-ever chase in the women's Hundred. The triumph also snapped Spirit's unbeaten streak in this year's competition.West Indies star Hayley Matthews emerged as the game-changer, blasting an unbeaten 78 off 46 deliveries, her highest score in the tournament. Her innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring 11 boundaries and two towering sixes.Spirit's total of 150 for 5 was built on a late surge of aggression from Danni Gibson and Deepti Sharma. Gibson's 25-ball 41 included six boundaries and a six, while Sharma's unbeaten 39 off 26 balls showcased her power-hitting prowess.Former Spirit right-armer Freya Davies played a crucial role for Fire, claiming the key wickets of Meg Lanning and Heather Knight. Her 2 for 19 helped restrict Spirit's total.The chase began with a setback for Fire as skipper Tammy Beaumont was trapped lbw by Tara Norris on review. However, Matthews' brilliance kept the visitors in the hunt. She was dropped on 36, a costly error that proved pivotal.With 69 runs needed from 40 balls, Matthews took control, finding the boundaries with ease. Eva Gray's spilled chance when Matthews was on 36 proved costly, as the West Indian star went on to reach her half-century from 37 balls.Despite losing Jess Jonassen to Sarah Glenn, Matthews continued to dominate, smashing Sharma for a straight six to leave 10 needed off nine. Fittingly, she sealed the victory with another boundary, securing a second win for Welsh Fire.Spirit's batting depth was on display as they chased a third straight win. Lanning's 31 off 20 balls and Gibson's 41 set the platform, while Sharma's late fireworks added impetus.

Mahika Gaur, England's promising left-arm seamer, has withdrawn from the upcoming Women's Hundred tournament to prioritize her recovery from a side strain. The 18-year-old, who impressed in her debut season with Manchester Originals last year, will utilize the competition's month-long window to continue her rehabilitation under the guidance of the ECB and Thunder medical teams.Gaur's absence from the Hundred could potentially affect her chances of securing a spot in England's squad for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The tournament is expected to serve as a crucial preparation platform for the team, given the lack of bilateral cricket scheduled before their departure in October.Gaur, who previously represented the UAE from the age of 12, made a notable impact in her first appearances for England against Sri Lanka last summer. Her impressive performance included a three-wicket haul for 26 runs on her ODI debut at Chester-le-Street in September.Despite her early promise, Gaur was unavailable for England's white-ball series against Pakistan due to her A-level commitments. She was subsequently ruled out of the T20I squad to face New Zealand this month after sustaining her injury.Gaur's withdrawal from the Hundred highlights the importance of managing player workload and ensuring their long-term fitness. The ECB and Thunder medical teams will closely monitor her progress and provide the necessary support to facilitate her recovery.

Ellyse Perry, the Australian all-rounder, will lead Birmingham Phoenix in the upcoming Women's Hundred season. Perry was initially set to captain the team last year but was ruled out due to injury.Perry's return to Edgbaston is a significant boost for Phoenix, who finished bottom of the table in 2023. The 33-year-old is a highly experienced and decorated player, having represented Australia in over 300 international matches.In the recent Women's Premier League (WPL), Perry was the leading run-scorer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, amassing 347 runs at an average of 69.40. She also claimed seven wickets, showcasing her all-round abilities.Perry's leadership qualities have been evident in her role as captain of Sydney Sixers in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). She became the first player to lead a team in 100 WBBL matches."I'm incredibly honored to be named Birmingham Phoenix captain," said Perry. "It's a wonderful club that means a lot to me. I'm looking forward to joining the whole playing squad and working towards a successful season."Meanwhile, defending champions Southern Brave have appointed Georgia Adams as their new captain following Anya Shrubsole's retirement. Adams, who led Southern Vipers to a domestic double last year, is excited to take on the role."It's a privilege to be taking over from Anya," said Adams. "I'm super excited to get going and really looking forward to leading a fantastic group of players and trying to defend the trophy."In the Men's Hundred, James Vince will continue to lead Southern Brave, having guided the team to victory in the inaugural season.