SunRisers Leeds secure place in The Hundred women’s final
Deepti Sharma’s unbeaten 28 guides Leeds past Southern Brave at The Kia Oval, setting up Sunday showdown with Trent Rockets at Lord’s.
SunRisers Leeds have advanced to The Hundred women’s final after securing a tense five-wicket victory over Southern Brave in the eliminator at The Kia Oval. Chasing a target of 115, the defending champions overcame a precarious batting position to win with 11 balls remaining, setting up a final encounter with Trent Rockets at Lord’s on Sunday, 16 August.
The match presented significant challenges for SunRisers, who found themselves in trouble at 54-3 after 47 balls. The dismissal of key Australian players Phoebe Litchfield for four and Annabel Sutherland for 17 off 12 deliveries disrupted the innings. The situation worsened when the score reached 95-5 after 78 balls, as England pacer Issy Wong took two wickets in two balls, including the crucial dismissal of tournament leading run-scorer Litchfield.
Wong’s figures of 3-21 also saw her bowl out Lauren Winfield-Hill, who had scored 37 off 37, and skipper Dani Gibson, who was lbw on first ball. Despite the pressure applied by Southern Brave, who have now lost four consecutive matches after starting the tournament with five wins from five, SunRisers maintained their composure.
India’s Deepti Sharma anchored the recovery with a calm and decisive unbeaten 28 off 22 balls. Her innings proved decisive in steering the team to the target, ensuring SunRisers, who have won five matches in a row, progress to the knockout stage’s climax.
Trent Rockets will now face SunRisers in the final, having topped the women’s table with six consecutive victories. The women’s final is scheduled for 2.15pm on Sunday, with the men’s final following at 6pm, both to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
