Marizanne Kapp’s nerveless, undefeated innings of 37 off 33 helped Oval Invincibles defend their Hundred titles against Southern Brave in a rematch of last year’s final. The Oval Invincibles defended their title with a five-wicket triumph over Southern Brave in the Women’s Hundred final in front of a record audience for a domestic women’s game in the UK.
In a low-scoring game on a “really challenging surface,” according to Marizanne Kapp, the 32-year-cool old’s head enabled Invincibles scrape down a 102-run target with six balls to spare. Kapp smashed 37* off 33 balls, including five boundaries, to help her team recover from an early setback at Lord’s.
The champions lost openers Lauren Winfield-Hill and Suzie Bates within the first 28 balls and went from 33/2 to 33/3, then 78/5, before Kapp combined with Emily Windsor to add 27 runs for the sixth wicket at a run-a-ball rate.
It wasn’t easy batting in the first innings, either, but the difference was that none of the Braves’ top four batters – all of whom reached double figures – were able to remain on and make an impact. Smriti Mandhana (17 off 21 balls) and Danielle Wyatt (15 off 16 balls), both known for their aggressive hitting, battled at the top. Sophia Dunkley (26 off 23) and Tahlia McGrath (20 off 17) fared slightly better in their starts but were forced out at inconvenient periods.
No other Brave batter reached double figures, and the team only managed eight fours (no sixes) throughout the innings. As a result, they stumbled their way to 101/7 in 100 balls.
Shabnim Ismail bowled well, taking two wickets and allowing only 12 runs in 20 deliveries. Alice Capsey, who contributed 25 off 17 later in the chase, took 2-25 as the bowling set up another Invincibles victory in the most important match of the season.
For the second year in a row, Invincibles defeated Brave on the Hundred’s main stage. Marizanne Kapp is the starting performer for the women in teal for the second year in a row. Though Emily Windsor, bowling her first innings of the competition, guaranteed there would be no further stumbles from 78 for 5. Charlotte Edwards will have to start over after her all-star side fell apart at the final hurdle for the second time.
The winning team Oval Invincibles’ captain Suzie Bates said, “Sort of a little bit overwhelmed. The way we’ve responded, with four overseas players we had to leave one out. Everyone turns up on game day, the way Kapp batted was awesome. To go back to back and be a part of it is amazing. [Kapp] 100%, she’s one of the best allrounders in the world and she showed why. She shows up for those tough moments. Our bowling group was outstanding, it got pretty tense there, with our middle order having not batted much, it was always going to be a nervy chase. Really pleased the whole squad performed and nice to get the win. [Capsey] She’s a big-moment player, I felt I could give her the strike and stand and watch. Under pressure, you need to be brave and she’s done that all season. [Recipe for success] It’s my first season, but the South Africans are tough. We’ve got some young players and a nice balance. Train hard and enjoy their cricket.”
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Marizanne Kapp
