The Hundred Women’s 2022, Match 13 Review: Laura Wolvaardt single-handedly pulls off record chase to take Northern Superchargers to thrilling win

It was a thrilling contest between the Northern Superchargers and the Manchester Originals at Leeds on Sunday, August 21 as Laura Wolvaardt single-handedly took her side Northern Superchargers to a win by pulling off a record-breaking chase of 161 runs, the highest successful chase of the Women’s tournament so far, on the 99^th delivery, with just one ball to spare.

Having elected to bat first, Originals got off to a great start, thanks to opener Lizelle Lee who was seen back in form after some poor outings in the previous games. The 57-run stand between the opening duo of Lee and Emma Lamb ended when the former was dismissed by one of the Superchargers’ finest bowlers- Katie Levick.

Soon, Lamb walked off for a run-a-ball 14 runs. Deandra Dottin and Ami Campbell took charge thereon, but the latter had to walk back to the pavilion after facing a run-out. But that was also the last wicket that the Northern Superchargers claimed as Dottin unleashed her prowess and punished the opponent bowlers.

Laura Wolvaardt records stunning half-century

Towards the end of the innings, she went berserk and went on to bag a brilliant half-century, thereby remaining unbeaten for a 30-ball 68* at the end of 100 balls. Originals scored a massive 15 runs off the final 15 deliveries, major thanks to Dottin and her power-hitting as her innings consisted of five fours and six massive sixes. Sophie Ecclestone was a great support to her as she added 24 runs off the 17 deliveries that she faced, and as a result, the Originals finished off scoring 160/3.

Alyssa Healy and Laura Wolvaardt had a decent start to the chase. Healy started off well as she amassed six boundaries before losing her wicket on the final delivery of the powerplay. Bess Heath then joined Wolvaardt, but could not hold her position on the field for a long time as she was run out on the fifth ball that she faced.

Wolvaardt carried the game on her shoulders thereon and showcased one of her finest performances by tackling the Originals bowlers with great agility. She kept running out of partners, but that did not seem to bother her much. Skipper Hollie Armitage and Heather Graham though did not score much but supported Wolvaardt nicely from the other end as she kept the scoreboard ticking.

Chasing a massive score of 160 runs, Wolvaardt pulled off a miracle towards the end and overshadowed Dottin’s knock from the first innings. Her unbeaten 49-ball 90-run knock guided the Northern Superchargers to a thrilling victory off the penultimate delivery of the game as they registered their second victory of the tournament, thereby handing the Manchester Originals their third defeat.