Amanda-Jade Wellington has shown once again why she's probably the MVP of The Women's Hundred competition - but the brilliant Australian legspinner will still have to work her wiles one more time to reach the tournament final.
Wellington was yet again superb on Wednesday, taking 3-17 off her 20 balls as Southern Braves sought to complete their programme unbeaten and earn a direct place in Saturday's final at Lord's.
It extended the 25-year-old's place at the top of the event's leading wicket takers, with the Adelaide tweaker's tally of 14 putting her four clear of the next best, her teammate Lauren Bell.
But it wasn't enough to earn the Brave victory at Headingley as the Northern Superchargers, powered by a 35-ball fifty from the tournament's top scorer Laura Wolvaardt, compiled 6-145 before restricting their visitors to 9-125 for a 20-run win.
It meant Oval Invincibles, in the later game, could gain the one automatic spot for the final if they defeated Manchester Originals at Old Trafford - and, inspired by captain Suzie Bates' unbeaten 79, the reigning champions did just that, triumphing by 32 runs.
The Brave, after dominating their opposition during the rest of the competition, were left having to win Friday's eliminator against Trent Rockets to set up a repeat of last year's final against the Invincibles.
Wellington will be expected to once again produce the goods, after another superb display in which she trapped her impressive compatriot Heather Graham, who scored 26 off 19 balls.
The West Australian Graham had a big game, taking three catches and bowling her big-hitting countrywoman Tahlia McGrath, who's not been able to get going in this edition of The Hundred.
Wellington came closest to helping Brave chase down their total as she smacked 25 off just 10 balls, with four fours and a six, but it was another fine piece of work in the field by Graham - a direct hit from a boundary throw - that ended her innings.
In the later match, the Oval Invincibles racked up the highest score of this year's competition and the Originals could never get close, despite a defiant 64 from Lizelle Lee in what could be her last match for the team.
