SunRisers Leeds secure Hundred eliminator spot with victory over Manchester
Annabel Sutherland’s unbeaten 62 and Jess Jonassen’s three-wicket haul guide Leeds to a decisive win at Old Trafford, keeping their title defence alive.
SunRisers Leeds have maintained their status as reigning champions of the women’s Hundred by defeating the Manchester Super Giants by 41 runs in a decisive winner-takes-all contest at Old Trafford. The victory secures the visitors a place in the upcoming eliminator, where they will face Southern Brave on Friday at The Oval.
The match, broadcast by Sky Sports, saw Leeds post a competitive total of 166-4 after being put in to bat. The innings was anchored by an unbeaten 62 from all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, who struck nine boundaries and three sixes off 36 deliveries. Her performance, which earned her the Match Hero award, provided the platform for Leeds to leapfrog their opponents in the standings and claim the final top-three spot.
Supporting Sutherland was a rapid 27 from 12 balls by opener Phoebe Litchfield, which moved her to the top of the competition’s run-scoring chart ahead of Sophia Dunkley. Contributions from Bryony Smith and Lauren Winfield-Hill kept the scoreboard moving before Sutherland accelerated the scoring rate in the final overs, including three consecutive sixes off Ryana MacDonald-Gay to finish the innings strongly.
In reply, the Super Giants struggled to maintain momentum against a disciplined Leeds attack. Spinner Jess Jonassen was instrumental, taking 3-21 to dismantle the middle order. Her figures included the key wicket of Smriti Mandhana, who departed for 28, as well as the dismissals of Richa Ghosh and Meg Lanning. Despite a brief resistance from Grave Scrivens, who scored 31 off 24 balls, Manchester were restricted to 125-8.
The result extends SunRisers Leeds’ winning streak to four matches as they prepare for the knockout stage. The winner of Friday’s eliminator at The Oval will progress to the final at Lord’s on Sunday, 16 August, where they will face table-toppers Trent Rockets. Manchester Super Giants, meanwhile, exit the competition after slipping to fourth place in the standings.
