Wolvaardt guides Originals to victory over Brave

2 months ago 14
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South Africa batter Laura Wolvaardt in action against Southern BraveImage source, Getty Images

Image caption,

South Africa batter Laura Wolvaardt has scored 1,673 runs in 69 T20 internationals

The Hundred women's competition, Utilita Bowl, Southampton

Southern Brave 136-5 (100 balls): Wyatt 61 (46); Ecclestone 2-17

Manchester Originals 140-4 (98 balls): Wolvaardt 78* (52); Adams 2-24

Brave win by six wickets

Scorecard Table

Laura Wolvaardt hit an unbeaten 78 as Manchester Originals beat winless Southern Brave by six wickets in The Hundred women's competition.

Brave posted a competitive 136-5 thanks to Danni Wyatt's 61 off 46 balls and useful contributions from Charli Knott (27) and Maia Bouchier (24).

England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone finished the pick of the Originals' attack (2-17), with Kim Garth and Fi Morris claiming one wicket apiece.

Originals lost opener Beth Mooney for just two early on in their run-chase but a stand of 80 from Wolvaardt and Eve Jones (39) for the second wicket got them back on track.

Brave took three wickets for eight runs as Georgia Adams claimed 2-24 to leave the Originals at 100-4 off 77 balls.

However, Wolvaardt kept her cool, and with 10 runs required off the final set she hit Lauren Cheatle for three consecutive fours to secure victory with two balls to spare.

What else do you need to know?

  • Manchester Originals have earned back-to-back victories while defending champions Southern Brave are winless after three matches.

  • Laura Wolvaardt's knock, which featured 11 fours, was her fourth Hundred half-century and her second-highest individual top score in the competition after the 90* she made for Northern Superchargers against the Originals in 2022.

  • Tilly Corteen-Coleman conceded just 1.10 runs per ball - the fewest of any Brave bowler to deliver more than one set - but the 16-year-old is still searching for her first wicket in the tournament.

  • Wyatt's half-century was the eighth time she had made a score of 50 or more in The Hundred - nobody in the men's or women's competitions has passed the figure more frequently than her.

'Nice to chase a big score' - what they said

Player of the match Laura Wolvaardt: "It's nice to chase a big score. It wasn't the easiest game and they bowled well into the wicket. I knew we had a lot of firepower so just tried to take it as deep as we could.

"Eve [Jones] was amazing, she has been whacking them every single game so far. She is really strong down the ground and I'm pretty proud of how she batted. She played to her strengths."

What is happening on Friday?

There is a Hundred double-header on Friday, with Oval Invincibles facing Northern Superchargers at the Kia Oval (women's at 15:00 BST and men's at 18:30).

You can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

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