Superchargers knock out Originals to seal Eliminator place

Headingley’s The Hundred women’s competition

Manchester Originals 94 all out (95 balls): Monaghan 26 (17), Sutherland 3-15

Northern Superchargers 96-2 (65 balls): Sutherland 30* (17), Davidson-Richards 30 (18)

Eight wickets separated the Superchargers.

In The Hundred, Northern Superchargers defeated Manchester Originals to claim an impressive eight-wicket victory, which guaranteed their spot in Saturday’s Eliminator.

The outcome also confirms that Originals and London Spirit will face Superchargers at The Oval.

Superchargers and Spirit trailed Originals by four points in the first half of the second half, knowing they needed to win big to overhaul their rivals’ superior net run-rate.

With five balls left in the innings, they were forced to bat and put a commanding total on the board, but their aggressive strategy was unsuccessful and they were bowled out for 94.

Although the originals’ skipper, Beth Mooney, had a good start, the Superchargers bowlers’ discipline and control gradually lost favor as the innings went on.

Annabel Sutherland, the star of Australia, had 3-15 balls, while Nicola Carey, her compatriot, had 2-13, and Kate Cross, the seamstress, had a poor 1-1.

Superchargers only needed 38 balls to pass, so they needed 34 before moving on to the victory with 35.

At the top of the order, Alice Davidson-Richards scored 30 from 18 balls before a 54-run stand between Australians Phoebe Litchfield, who added another Australian run, and Australian Sutherland, who made an unbeaten 30 from 17 and finished the job.

Cross was dropped from the England squad for the upcoming World Cup in just a few days, which she claimed “feels savage.”

The Superchargers seamer enjoying such an impressive tournament only gets better with each match that comes and goes.

The 33-year-old bowler has taken more powerplay wickets this summer than any other female bowler, but she only allowed 55 runs in that span.

Kathryn Bryce, the home team’s sixth victim, came after Mooney’s excellent debut.

Cross was pivotal once more, coming on after the Australian left-hander had already hit three early boundaries and had to swing for just three from the next five balls without letting the visitors lose momentum, as it turned out.

Former England international Lauren Winfield-Hill remarked on BBC Two, “She gives you control as a bowler and you can’t have threat without control.”

Without her, I wonder where England will find stability.

Cross has been the consistent lead in that side for some time, despite not being particularly flashy.

In Nottingham, Trent Rockets host Birmingham Phoenix on the final day of the group stage.

At 15:00 BST, the women’s game begins, followed by the men’s match at 18:30 BST, at Trent Bridge.