Originals edge Invincibles in last-ball thriller

The Hundred women’s competition, The Oval

Manchester Originals 139-6 (100 balls): Mooney 70 (45); Kapp 2-22

Oval Invincibles 137-3 (100 balls): Lanning 56 (42); Ecclestone 1-18

Originals won by two runs

Manchester Originals held their nerve to claim a dramatic two-run win over Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.

Having set the Invincibles 140 to win, with captain Beth Mooney hitting a fine 70 from 45 balls, the Originals took just three wickets but maintained their discipline as the match went down to the last ball.

The game swung one way then the other in the closing stages, culminating in the Invincibles needing four to win off the final ball.

But Originals all-rounder Deandra Dottin nailed her yorker and Marizanne Kapp could only dig it out for a single.

Former Australia captain Meg Lanning led the way in the chase and when she was dropped on 52, with the ball going for four after slipping through Fi Morris’ grasp, it looked like being the Invincibles’ day.

However, she was caught in the deep next delivery and, despite Paige Scholfield thumping Dottin for six to leave the hosts needing five from two balls, the Invincibles fell to a second loss in two games.

It’s another four-game day on Sunday with double-headers in Southampton and Nottingham.

It starts at the Ageas Bowl with Southern Brave against Birmingham Phoenix (11:00/14:30 BST) before Trent Rockets face Northern Superchargers (14:30/ 18:00 BST) at Trent Bridge.