Northern Superchargers snapped Southern Courageous’s eight-match successful streak to clinch their first Hundred title and deny their opponents a second in addition to the primary unbeaten season within the event’s five-year historical past.
Courageous had been impeccable all through the group stage, together with beating Superchargers by eight wickets at residence, however they got here unstuck in Sunday’s Lord’s ultimate, shedding by seven wickets.
Georgia Adams’ aspect had been restricted to an under-par 115-6 earlier than Superchargers reached their goal with 12 balls to spare after a six from Annabel Sutherland (28no off 25) to actual revenge for his or her 34-run defeat to Courageous within the 2023 ultimate.
Courageous would have taken two wickets in as many balls – and decreased Superchargers to 59-4 after 45 – had they reviewed for Nicola Carey (35no off 25) lbw to Chloe Tryon, moments after Phoebe Litchfield (26 off 13) was out to a limp sweep following a four-laden cameo.
Australian duo Carey and Sutherland guided Superchargers residence with an unbroken stand of 60 from 44, though Carey had one other scare when a supply from Lauren Bell – the event’s main wicket-taker – hit the bail however it stayed in its groove.
Sutherland (2-23) and Kate Cross (2-23) had earlier starred with the ball – Cross’ wickets of Maia Bouchier (13) and Laura Wolvaardt (0) coming from successive deliveries.
Perrin fires fleetingly after gorgeous eliminator Hundred
Superchargers’ 18-year-old opener Davina Perrin (17 off 16) was unable to really again up her record-breaking, 42-ball century within the eliminator win over London Spirit at The Kia Oval on Saturday.
But, she nonetheless notched a couple of luxurious fours, together with an uppercut over the wicketkeeper’s head, and her outstanding hundred is prone to be the underlying reminiscence of finals weekend and will fast-track her into different franchise tournaments all over the world and probably even senior England recognition.
Within the ultimate, Cross’ twin strikes decreased Courageous 28-2 after 24 balls, which turned 43-3 after 40 when Sutherland nailed Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s (25) center stump with a nip-backer.
Freya Kemp (26 off 16) and Mady Villiers (17no of 11) gave Courageous one thing to defend, whereas New Zealand veteran Sophie Devine contributed a scratchy 23 off 28 deliveries.
Courageous’s whole proved inferior, although, as they suffered a 3rd defeat in 4 finals with this disappointment coming after back-to-back losses to Oval Invincibles in 2021 and 2022 preceded their maiden victory a 12 months later.