Lauren Bell bowled a crucial final five balls for Southern Brave against Northern Superchargers, defending seven runs at the death to secure the first-ever tie in women's Hundred history.
Reigning champions Southern Brave were only able to post a target of 101 for Northern Superchargers to get, an all-round bowling performance from the Leeds-based side keeping them to a low total. Coming on to bowl after ten balls, Bell immediately set the tone, taking two wickets and conceding just three runs from her first set of ten balls, which included seven dot balls. She also dismissed the dangerous Annabel Sutherland when brought back into the attack at the 50-ball mark, conceding two runs in her next five as well as the wicket. Her figures at that point read: 15 balls, five runs, three wickets, nine dots.
Having taken wickets at regular intervals, Southern Brave had restricted Northern Superchargers to 94-6 with five balls to go. With seven to defend, Bell was handed the ball.
Her first ball was short and moving in to England teammate Kate Cross. But Cross could only find the fielder in the covers and pick up a single, bringing Alice Davidson-Richards on strike. Six runs to win.
The second was a slower ball, slightly fuller in length which Davidson-Richards hit out to deep backward square leg. The batters just managed to sneak through for two - the first ball in her spell off which Ball had conceded more than a single. Five runs to win.
The next ball, however was a ripper. Davidson-Richards took a couple of steps down the wicket and tried to turn the ball into the leg side, but it swung in and straight past her inside edge, clattering into middle stump. Still five runs to win and No.9 Lucy Higham on strike.
4 runs required. 3 balls left... and then Belly does this 🤯
— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 30, 2024
Every. Ball. Counts.#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/XCD5doU1Lp
Bell bowled a perfect wide yorker to Higham, who could only just get a bat on it, running it down to cover. The batters sprinted to the other end, leaving three required off the final ball.
With the pressure on, Bell nailed a perfect straight yorker, which Cross hit into the space in front of Maia Bouchier at wide long-on, who sprinted in for the catch. As the batters scrambled to come back for the second, the throw came in too wide for Rhianna Southby behind the stumps, and too late to take the bails off as Cross slid her bat in.
Northern Superchargers and Southern Brave split the points. Excellent effort from both teams 💜💚#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/JZ2PwTnbXf
— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 30, 2024
Bell finished with figures of 4-11 - the joint fourth-best figures in the history of the women's competition - with 11 dot balls in her 20.
Follow Wisden for all ENG vs WI series updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
