Beth Mooney's Unbeaten 99 Powers Manchester Originals to Victory Over Northern Superchargers

 


Beth Mooney's Unbeaten 99 Powers Manchester Originals to Victory Over Northern Superchargers

Originals Triumph by 17 Runs Despite Elimination from The Hundred Playoffs

Beth Mooney delivered a batting masterclass at Old Trafford, leading Manchester Originals to a 17-run victory over Northern Superchargers in the women’s Hundred competition. The Australian opener’s unbeaten 99, the second-highest score in the history of the tournament, was the cornerstone of Originals’ 151-3, a total the Superchargers couldn't chase down, ending on 134-8.

Despite being eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day due to results elsewhere, the Originals played with pride and purpose, particularly relishing the opportunity to thwart their local rivals' bid to move to the top of the table.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Originals' decision was vindicated as Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt laid a solid foundation with a 60-run opening stand. Wolvaardt was stumped for 20 off the bowling of Linsey Smith, but Mooney continued to anchor the innings, accelerating the scoring as wickets fell around her. She was particularly dominant in her partnership with Kathryn Bryce, contributing 51 of the 67 runs they added together.

In a strategic move, the Originals retired Bryce (13 from 21) with 10 balls remaining, sending in Sophie Ecclestone to maximize the final overs. However, Ecclestone was run out on the final ball of the innings while attempting a second run that would have brought Mooney her well-deserved century. Nonetheless, Mooney's 99* propelled the Originals to a formidable total.

Northern Superchargers' chase got off to a rocky start as openers Davina Perrin and Hollie Armitage were dismissed cheaply. The Australian duo of Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland briefly revived the innings, adding 41 runs for the third wicket. But once Kim Garth bowled Litchfield for 45 and Eve Jones caught Sutherland off Bryce's bowling, the Superchargers began to lose momentum.

Georgia Wareham provided some late resistance, hitting three boundaries off Danielle Gregory to keep her side in contention. However, Bryce's return in the final set of deliveries sealed the Originals' victory. Bryce and Mooney combined for a hat-trick, with Alice Davidson-Richards caught and Kate Cross stumped, before Wareham herself was dismissed, ensuring the Superchargers fell 17 runs short of their target.

Bryce finished with outstanding figures of 5-13, capping off a memorable performance for the Originals. While the victory couldn’t alter their fate in the competition, it provided a satisfying end to their campaign and denied the Superchargers a chance to climb to the top of the table.