Southern Brave Secure First Win in Women's Hundred with Seven-Wicket Triumph Over Oval Invincibles

 


Southern Brave Secure First Win in Women's Hundred with Seven-Wicket Triumph Over Oval Invincibles

Danni Wyatt's Unbeaten 46 Guides Brave to Victory in Rain-Affected Clash

Southern Brave finally broke their winless streak in the women's Hundred competition, claiming their first victory of the season with a tense seven-wicket win over Oval Invincibles at The Oval. The bottom-of-the-table Brave chased down a revised target of 83 with just one ball to spare, thanks largely to a match-winning knock from opener Danni Wyatt.

Brave's chase began in challenging circumstances after rain interrupted the match for 90 minutes, reducing both sides' innings to just 65 balls. Despite the disruption, Wyatt remained composed, leading her team’s pursuit with an unbeaten 46 off 37 balls. Her innings, which featured some crucial boundary hits, saw her overcome early setbacks, including being dropped twice—first on five by Mady Villiers and later on 14 by Alice Capsey.

Southern Brave's chase got off to a rocky start with the early loss of star batter Smriti Mandhana, who was run out for just two. However, Wyatt’s resilience proved crucial as she anchored the innings. Although Maia Bouchier (16) and Freya Kemp (3) fell cheaply, Wyatt’s steady hand guided Brave closer to their target. The victory was sealed in style when Wyatt smashed Sophia Smale for a six over square leg, marking Brave's first win in six matches.

Earlier in the match, Southern Brave’s bowlers had set the stage for victory with an impressive performance that restricted the Oval Invincibles to 79-4 in their allotted 65 balls. Lauren Cheatle was particularly effective, delivering an excellent opening spell that saw her claim figures of 2-6, including the prized wicket of Chamari Athapaththu for a third-ball duck. Alice Capsey managed 19 before falling to Cheatle, leaving the Invincibles struggling at 38-2 when the rain came.

Upon the resumption, the match took on a new dynamic with just 30 balls remaining. Tilly Corteen-Coleman, a 16-year-old rising star, made an immediate impact by taking two wickets in successive balls, dismissing Lauren Winfield-Hill and Paige Scholfield. However, South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp held the innings together for the Invincibles with an unbeaten 26, helping her side post a competitive, albeit modest, total.

Despite the Invincibles’ best efforts, Southern Brave's victory in this rain-affected encounter breathed new life into their campaign. For the defending champions, this win may serve as a springboard for the remainder of the tournament, while the Invincibles will be left to reflect on a match that slipped through their fingers due to missed opportunities in the field.

With this crucial win, Southern Brave have not only ended their losing streak but also reignited their hopes in the competition, showcasing the grit and determination that made them a force in last season's tournament. As the competition progresses, both teams will be eager to build on this match—Southern Brave with newfound confidence and Oval Invincibles with lessons learned.