Oval Invincibles retained their Hundred crown against Southern Brave
(Picture: Getty Images)Oval Invincibles retained their Women’s Hundred title in front of a record crowd at Lord’s.
Marizanne Kapp steered her side home in a rematch of the tournament’s first final against Southern Brave.
The South Africa international was player of the match for a in the 2021 final after starring with bat and ball and once again showed her taste for the big occasions with a decisive all-round display in a five-wicket win.
In front of 20,840 fans - a new domestic high - she took one for 19 in her 20 deliveries before leading the Invincibles’ pursuit of 102 with 37 not out. Her 33-ball knock, which contained five boundaries, was the best of the day and the top score yet in the women’s showpiece.
The Brave had scraped together an underwhelming 101 for seven after opting to bat first, but the chase was from a walkover once Lauren Winfield-Hill and Suzie Bates fell cheaply at the top.
At the halfway mark they were teetering on 59 for four, England seamer Lauren Bell having scattered Mady Villiers’ stumps with the 50th delivery of the innings.
But Kapp held her nerve while others lost theirs, piecing together a match-winning innings in a game where the bowlers set the agenda.
Alice Capsey, the breakout star of last year’s tournament and a reliable performer once again, weighed in with a handy 25 from 17 balls but had a couple of slices of luck along the way.
Captain Anya Shrubsole shelled a straightforward catch when the 18-year-old had just five to her name, with Capsey cashing in on her reprieve by hitting two fours and a long, straight six in the next set of five. Smriti Mandhana also put her down on 22, but that proved a less costly error thanks to Georgia Adams, who got Capsey reverse-sweeping.
Kapp picked her moments to attack astutely, taking consecutive fours off Amanda-Jade Wellington and two more in a costly visit from Shrubsole, meaning the asking rate never got away. The winning runs cam with six balls remaining, Emily Windsor cutting Tahlia McGrath to the ropes to seal the deal in style.
The Invincibles victory was set up by a disciplined display from their attack, who gave up just eight boundaries.
Mandhana and Danni Wyatt failed to kick on from solid starts, before a game changing burst of three wickets in five balls sucked the life out of their innings.
Tahlia McGrath was bowled by Eva Gray before Sophia Dunkley (26) and Georgia Adams (nought) were whipped out by Capsey.
South Africa international Shabnim Ismail had the pick of the figures, taking two from 12 from her 20-ball allocation, while 17-year-old spinner Sophia Smale continued her rapid rise, kicking things off with the caught and bowled dismissal of India star Mandhana.
"It’s been an amazing journey. I’ve loved the tournament, it’s my favourite," said Kapp.
"The crowds have been amazing throughout. Thanks for coming out and supporting women’s cricket.
"I have to give credit to my team, they’ve all been amazing. You’re always nervous in finals, especially with low scores, but every single person has contributed."
