The Hundred 2022, women’s final preview: Oval Invincibles v Southern Brave – The Cricketer

Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, start times, venue, squad lists and more

What’s the match?

Oval Invincibles face Southern Brave in the final of this year’s women’s Hundred competition.

The two sides met in the final last year, with Oval Invincibles lifting the trophy.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to commence at 3pm BST on Saturday, September 3.

Where is the match being played?

The match will take place at Lord’s and will be followed by the men’s final.

Who’s got the form?

Defending champions Oval Invincibles progressed straight through to the final after topping the regular season table. Suzie Bates’ side won five of their six group matches, including completely a 32-run win over Manchester Originals last time out to sneak ahead of Southern Brave on net run rate, and are unbeaten in four matches heading into the final.

Bates and opener Lauren Winfield-Hill have both scored over 200 runs, with the former hitting 229 runs at  a strike rate of 150.65 and the latter 214 runs at a rate of 138.96. With the ball, Eva Gray and Sophia Smale have been the standout performers, picking up seven wickets apiece.

Southern Brave snuck into the final courtesy of a two-run win over Trent Rockets, Nat Sciver falling just short of seeing her side over the line despite scoring 72 not out off 36. Brave won their first five matches of the tournament before a shock 20-run defeat at the hands of Northern Superchargers allowed Oval Invincibles to pip them to first position.

Anya Shrubsole’s side is the dictionary definition of star-studded, with Smriti Mandhana (194 runs), Sophia Dunkley (167 runs) and Danni Wyatt (162 runs) impressing at the top of the order, Amanda-Jade Wellington (15 wickets) shining with the ball, and an enviable pace arsenal. However, perhaps the player to watch is Georgia Adams, who is coming into her own as a finisher and handy with the ball.

^{Suzie Bates [Ashley Allen/Getty Images]}

What’s the team news?

Marizanne Kapp returned to the Oval Invincibles XI against Manchester Originals after missing a couple of matches as a precaution (sore quad). She scored 36 (22) and took 2 for 14 at Emirates Old Trafford.

Mandhana, however, is a doubt for Southern Brave. She played no part in the second innings of the eliminator, with Molly Strano fielding in her place.

What’s the key match-up?

Can Southern Brave handle spin? Welsh Fire, Northern Superchargers and Trent Rockets have all targeted Southern Brave’s top-order with spin, forcing the batters to generate their own pace, and seen solid results.

Fire restricted Brave to 122 for 8, Katie Levick and Linsey Smith recorded combined figures of 3 for 24 from 40 balls to help Northern Superchargers to victory, and Trent Rockets picked up two powerplay wickets.

Given Oval Invincibles’ bowling attack includes Alice Capsey (six wickets, 6.56 economy) and Smale (seven wickets, 6.05 economy), this could be a tactic for the defending champions.

Can I get tickets?

There are no tickets available for this Hundred match.

What’s the weather forecast?

Cloudy skies are expected in St John’s Wood, with temperatures hovering around 23 degrees Celsius at the start of play. The sun may pop in for an appearance around teatime.

What are the squads?

Oval Invincibles: Lauren Winfield-Hill, Alice Capsey, Grace Gibbs, Danielle Gregory, Shabnim Ismail, Sophia Smale (replaced Emma Jones), Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk, Mady Villiers, Aylish Cranstone, Emily Windsor, Eva Gray, Kira Chathli, Suzie Bates, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Kirstie White (replaced Tash Farrant)

Southern Brave: Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Adams, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley, Smriti Mandhana, Tara Norris, Carla Rudd, Paige Scholfield, Anya Shrubsole, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Danni Wyatt, Jo Gardner, Freya Kemp, Ella McCaughan, Molly Strano

What are the possible starting XIs?

Oval Invincibles: Lauren Winfield-Hill, Suzie Bates, Alice Capsey, Marizanne Kapp, Mady Villiers, Kira Chathli, Emily Windsor, Eva Gray, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Shabnim Ismail, Sophia Smale

Southern Brave: Smriti Mandhana, Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Tahlia McGrath, Maia Bouchier, Georgia Adams, Freya Kemp, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Lauren Bell, Anya Shrubsole, Carla Rudd

^{Amanda-Jade Wellington [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

What are the odds?

Oval Invincibles are available at 6/4 while Southern Brave are at 8/13.

The latest Oddschecker summary of The Hundred can be found by clicking here.

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports has live coverage of the match on their dedicated cricket channel (Sky 404, Virgin 504).

Now TV offer daily access to Sky Sports for £11.99 or monthly access for £33.99.

The match is also among the 18 being shown live by BBC Two, with footage also be found on the iplayer and BBC Sport website.

On radio, Test Match Special will have ball-by-ball commentary on 5Live Sports Extra

The Cricketer will have live in-play updates, and post-match analysis and reaction.

Visit The Cricketer’s Hundred Hub for the latest news, team guides, competition information, squad listings and analysis.

Where can I watch the competition elsewhere in the world?

North America – Willow tv

Caribbean – ESPN

Sub-Saharan Africa – SuperSport

MENA – beIN Sports

Australia – Fox

New Zealand – Spark

Indian Subcontinent – FanCode

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