Southern Brave women hold their nerve for a third straight win while men edged out in final‑ball thriller

Southern Brave Women continued their perfect start to The Hundred with another composed performance, holding off MI London by a single run in a gripping finish that showcased the resilience of this unbeaten side, while the men were on the wrong side of a final ball decider.

Defending 126, Southern Brave Women (126-7) were made to work hard as MI London’s (125-3) chase ebbed and flowed, but the home attack once again proved its class under pressure. 

Hayley Matthews threatened early with a flurry of boundaries but was bowled by Issy Wong on 42. Danni Wyatt‑Hodge anchored the visitors’ innings with an unbeaten 52 against her former team, but Brave kept chipping away. Glenn’s reviewed dismissal of Hollie Armitage broke a 67‑run stand, Molineux delivered a tight penultimate set, and that left Lauren Bell with eight runs to defend from the final five balls.

Bell bowled immaculately at Wyatt‑Hodge and Nicola Carey to prevent them chasing down the final eight runs, closing out the game at Utilita Bowl to secure Brave’s third win from three and maintain their position at the top of the table.

With the bat, Maia Bouchier’s started brightly with 31 off 22 and Jemimah Rodrigues’ inventive 32 helped Brave build a competitive total, while Laura Wolvaardt overcame a slow beginning to finish with a valuable 35. Matthews’ 4‑22 kept MI London in the contest, but Brave’s 126 ultimately proved just enough.

Meerkat Match Hero Rodrigues summed up the mood: “This team has great belief. It’s the calmness we show under pressure - our bowlers bowled really well.” 

The men’s fixture followed a similar pattern and was decided at the very last moment but this time it was MI London (130-7) who edged home, chasing Brave’s 129‑9 with two runs off the final ball.

Jamie Smith top‑scored for Brave in a hard‑fought innings, with contributions throughout but few opportunities to break free against disciplined MI London bowling. 

Brave fought back admirably with the ball. Marcus Stoinis was particularly effective, taking 3‑17 and removing both James Vince and Nicholas Pooran in consecutive deliveries during the powerplay. 

Adil Rashid bowled Sam Curran for 30, Stoinis returned to dismiss Will Jacks for a crucial 54, and Chris Jordan produced a brilliant direct‑hit to remove Sherfane Rutherford just as momentum was shifting.

The game swung repeatedly in the closing stages. Chaudhary bowled Tom Curran, Rashid Khan was run out, and MI London needed three from the final three balls. In the end, Ollie Pope’s sliced cut shot sealed the visitors’ win with one ball remaining.

It was a tense affair with Brave in it until the very last delivery, but MI London’s chase proved just enough to hand the men their third defeat of the campaign.

Southern Brave host Birmingham Phoenix on Thursday 30 July, with the women looking to extend their unbeaten run while the men aim to secure their first win of this year’s campaign.