The Hundred Women’s 2022, Match 2 Review: Beth Mooney's 97* in vain as Southern Brave go past London Spirit comfortably

Southern Brave are off to a good start in the Hundred Women‘s 2022 tournament as they beat the London Spirit by six wickets in the second match at the Rose Bowl, Southampton. Wyatt’s sizzling half-century at the top combined with a good bowling spell from Amanda-Jade Wellington set up a fine victory for the Southern Brave.

Earlier in the game, London Spirit elected to bat first and openers Beth Mooney and Grace Scrivens got off to a slow start. While Mooney was striking the ball quite well, Scrivens struggled to get the scoreboard ticking and was removed for a nine-ball one by Georgia Adams. Amelia Kerr and Mooney stitched an 87-run partnership for the second wicket and the duo set up the innings for a fine finish. Mooney reached her half-century in the process while Kerr was removed for a 27-ball 37.

Danielle Gibson was dismissed for a golden duck while the incoming batters tried to give the strike to the in-form Mooney, who was the lone warrior for the London Spirit. In the end, they ended up with a competitive score of 155/4, with Mooney missing out on the century by just three runs. The Australian remained unbeaten on 97 off 55, with 16 fours and a six, and single-handedly helped her side to a fighting total. Amanda-Jade Wellington was the pick of the bowlers for the Southern Brave, with 3/30 at 1.5 runs per ball.

Danni Wyatt’s swashbuckling half-century set up the chase

In reply, the Southern Brave openers Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt got off to a terrific start and took advantage of the powerplay. Mandhana perished for a 14-ball 19, while Wyatt continued her assault as she went onto score a half-century. Her runs came at a pretty quick rate and she brought down the required run rate considerably when she was dismissed for a 34-ball 65, an innings that comprised 12 fours and two sixes.

Sophia Dunkley (34*) and Georgia Adams (18) stitched a handy partnership for the fourth wicket and ensured that the required run rate did not go up. Freya Kump’s unbeaten six-ball 14, which included two sixes, sealed a comfortable victory for the Southern Brave with six balls left.