![Laura Wolvaardt was in sublime touch for Manchester Originals guiding them to a win in The Hundred 2024! [Image: Getty]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FEATURED-IMAGE-81.jpg "Laura Wolvaardt was in sublime touch for Manchester Originals guiding them to a win! [Image: Getty]")
Manchester Originals triumphed over Southern Brave by six wickets at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, with two balls to spare in The Hundred 2024. However, largely thanks to a masterful and sensational unbeaten knock of 78 from Laura Wolvaardt.
Southern Brave, put in to bat after losing the toss, posted a competitive 136/5 in their allotted 100 balls, starting with a promising opening partnership. Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt took advantage of the powerplay, ensuring a brisk start.
Bouchier, known for her aggressive stroke play, made an impactful 24 off just 16 balls, laced with four boundaries. Her early dismissal, bowled by Kim Garth, came after she played a crucial role in establishing a solid foundation for the Brave.
The Danni Wyatt Show in The Hundred 2024
Wyatt, on the other hand, carried on with her aggressive approach. Her 61 off 46 balls was a well-crafted innings that included ten boundaries. She displayed a mix of powerful drives and deft touches, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. Wyatt’s partnership with Charli Knott further consolidated the innings. Knott played a supporting role, contributing 27 off 28 balls, with four boundaries. Their partnership was instrumental in steadying the innings, particularly during the middle overs.
However, the Originals’ bowlers staged a comeback, applying pressure and taking crucial wickets at opportune moments. Sophie Ecclestone, the standout bowler for the Originals, was particularly effective. Her spell of 20 balls yielded just 17 runs and included the crucial wickets of Wyatt and Knott. Ecclestone’s accuracy and ability to extract turn from the surface made it difficult for the Brave batters to score freely during the middle overs.
Kim Garth also bowled effectively, claiming the wicket of Bouchier and conceding 33 runs in her 20 balls. Fi Morris chipped in with the wicket of Freya Kemp, who could only manage 2 off 4 balls before being caught by Laura Wolvaardt. The Originals’ bowlers were well-supported by their fielders, who were sharp and energetic, cutting off boundaries and ensuring the run rate was kept in check.
In the final stages of the innings, Chloe Tryon provided a late flourish, smashing 13 runs off just 6 balls, including a towering six. Her aggressive approach added vital runs in the death overs. However, her innings ended in a run out on the last ball of the innings, thanks to a sharp piece of fielding by Alice Monaghan and wicketkeeper Eleanor Threlkeld.
Captain Georgia Adams remained not out on 2 off 2 balls, as the Brave finished with 136/5. Despite the solid start, the Originals’ disciplined bowling and fielding efforts ensured that the Brave couldn’t fully capitalize, setting a challenging but achievable target for the Originals.
Chasing a target of 137, Manchester Originals had a shaky start as they lost Beth Mooney early on. Mooney, a key player for the Originals, fell for just 2 runs off 5 balls, caught behind by wicketkeeper Rhianna Southby off the bowling of Lauren Cheatle. This early wicket could have put pressure on the Originals, but Laura Wolvaardt stepped up to stabilize the innings.
Laura Wolvaardt Comes To The Rescue
Wolvaardt displayed a masterclass in batting, combining composure with aggression. Her unbeaten 78 off 52 balls was a blend of elegant stroke play and calculated aggression. She hit 11 boundaries, skillfully placing the ball to find gaps and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Wolvaardt’s innings was characterized by her ability to rotate the strike and capitalize on loose deliveries, ensuring that the pressure remained on the Brave bowlers.
Eve Jones provided excellent support to Wolvaardt, forming a crucial partnership that anchored the Originals’ innings. Jones scored 39 off 27 balls, including four boundaries and one six. Her aggressive approach complemented Wolvaardt’s steady accumulation of runs. The pair shared an 80-run partnership for the second wicket, which laid a solid foundation for the chase. Their partnership was marked by quick running between the wickets and effective boundary hitting, which kept the required run rate in check.
Georgia Adams Getting Crucial Wickets in The Hundred 2024
Georgia Adams, the Brave captain had other plans and executed it to perfection as she managed to break this partnership by taking the wickets of Jones and Originals’ captain Sophie Ecclestone.
Jones was caught by Charli Knott, while Ecclestone, who came in with an aggressive intent, scored a quickfire 7 off just 3 balls, including a six, before being caught by Tilly Corteen-Coleman. These wickets briefly shifted the momentum, giving the Brave a glimmer of hope.
However, Wolvaardt’s calm presence at the crease ensured that the Originals remained on course. Despite the brief scare of losing Fi Morris to a run-out without scoring, Wolvaardt remained unfazed. She continued to anchor the innings, showing maturity and determination. Kathryn Bryce joined Wolvaardt in the middle and played a supportive role, contributing 11 not out off 9 balls. Bryce’s sensible batting and ability to find occasional boundaries eased the pressure off Wolvaardt.
With the target in sight, Wolvaardt and Bryce guided the Originals to victory. The winning runs came with two balls to spare, sealing a well-fought and thrilling six-wicket win for the Originals. Wolvaardt’s exceptional innings, which earned her the Player of the Match award, was pivotal in the Originals’ successful chase. Her ability to handle pressure and her strategic approach to the chase highlighted her value to the team.
This victory bolstered Manchester Originals’ campaign in The Hundred Women’s Competition, reflecting their resilience and match temperament.
Brief Score: Southern Brave vs Manchester Originals, Match 11- The Hundred 2024
Southern Brave- 136/5 (Danni Wyatt 61; Sophie Ecclestone 2/17) lost to Manchester Originals- 140/4 (Laura Wolvaardt 78, Eve Jones 39; Georgia Adams 2/24) by six wickets.
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