At the Utilita Bowl, Manchester Originals defeated Southern Brave, the reigning champions, by six wickets thanks to Laura Wolvaardt’s undefeated 78.
After losing their first three games, the Brave were destroyed by a masterful batting display by South Africa’s Woolvardt, who timed the chase perfectly to get her team home with two balls remaining.
After Brave produced 136 for 5, Woolvardt and Eve Jones, who contributed 39, established an 80-run partnership at the second wicket to break the back of the chase. With 61 runs from 46 balls, Danni Wyatt led the hosts in scoring, and Sophie Ecclestone took 2 for 17.
With a 51-run partnership between Wyatt and Maia Bouchier off only 35 balls, Brave got off to a quick start. Before Wyatt and Charli Knott contributed 68, Kim Garth made the first breakthrough by bowling Bouchier.
After three balls, England spinner Ecclestone dismissed both, and Wolvaardt made an incredible catch while sprinting backwards to keep the score tied at one at the end of the innings.
Beth Mooney, a fellow countrywoman, narrowly defeated Lauren Cheatle by dancing down the wicket, but Woolvardt and Jones took control after that. While Jones kept the scoreboard ticking and eventually got Knott at long off off Georgia Adams’ bowling, Woolvardt struck 11 boundaries in her 52-ball innings.
With just Woolvardt left, Ecclestone struck for a six during her brief appearance, giving the Originals a second victory and leaving Brave’s title defence in need of improvement.
Also Read: While Brave easily wins, Originals’ bad start continues
Woolvardt, the Meerkat Match Hero, stated: “It’s enjoyable to pursue a high score, and it will benefit our team. Although I didn’t get off to the best start, I believe they bowled rather effectively in the middle. Even though I knew we had the authority, I felt like I wasn’t receiving the boundaries I needed, so I pushed to go further. Eve was quite remarkable. She really played to her strengths and has been hammering them in every game so far.”
Home