Grace Harris of London Spirit propelled her team with six of a record 15 sixes during the match.
The Hundred women’s competition, Lord’s
London Spirit 176-5 (100 balls): Harris 89* (42); Kapp 2-23
Oval Invincibles 159-4 (100 balls): Lanning 85 (51); Wong 2-26
Spirit won by 17 runs
London Spirit initiated their title defense in The Hundred with a compelling 17-run victory over Oval Invincibles, fueled by Grace Harris’s remarkable, unbeaten 89 off 42 deliveries.
The Australian batter forged a century partnership with Cordelia Griffith, who contributed 50 from 29 balls, enabling Spirit to reach 176-5 – their highest score in the women’s competition – at Lord’s.
In response, the Invincibles faced an imposing target and suffered an early setback with the dismissal of captain Lauren Winfield-Hill on the second ball. However, they recovered, spearheaded by former Australia skipper Meg Lanning.
Despite a 77-run stand for the third wicket with Marizanne Kapp, and Lanning’s impressive 85 from 51 balls injecting hope, the Invincibles ultimately fell short at 159-4.
The match witnessed a record-breaking 15 sixes in the women’s tournament. Harris’s contributions gave Spirit an 8-7 advantage in this area and, crucially, secured the win in their season opener.
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Harris entered the fray with Spirit at 40-2 after 28 balls, with Griffith already displaying aggressive intent.
The 31-year-old, rejoining Spirit after a stint in 2023, quickly followed suit, dispatching her Australian teammate Amanda-Jade Wellington for a six off her fourth ball.
She continued to target Wellington, but a chance at long-off on 22 was dropped, an error that Harris capitalized on.
She reached her half-century in 28 balls – Spirit’s second-fastest in The Hundred – and despite Griffith’s dismissal shortly after reaching the same milestone, Harris maintained her momentum.
Successive sixes off Sophia Smale ensued, and Tash Farrant – returning to the franchise tournament after injury – received similar treatment.
The Invincibles managed to limit her strike time towards the innings’ end, preventing Harris from reaching a century. However, her six sixes equaled the competition record for an individual innings and propelled Spirit to a formidable total.
For much of the chase, Spirit appeared to be defending the runs with relative ease, but Lanning’s magnificent innings, aided by Kapp, ensured a tense finish.
Even after Issy Wong bowled Kapp with an excellent yorker, Lanning persisted, hitting a series of towering sixes over the leg side.
However, with seven balls remaining, the 33-year-old was dismissed attempting her sixth maximum – Wong again claiming the crucial wicket – allowing Spirit to close out the game with a degree of comfort.
The action moves to Old Trafford on Wednesday as Manchester Originals face Southern Brave in another double-header.
Ball-by-ball commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app.
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