Northern Superchargers emerged victorious in the highly anticipated northern derby of The Hundred, defeating Manchester Originals by a comfortable margin of 46 runs. The home side secured their second win in four matches, delighting the record-breaking crowd of 11,061 at Headingley.
Manchester Originals, after winning the toss, opted to field first. Northern Superchargers’ openers, Hollie Armitage and Phoebe Litchfield, established a solid foundation with a 47-run partnership. However, England’s Lauren Filer proved to be a formidable force for the visitors, claiming two wickets for just 16 runs, including two maiden sets.
Australian duo Annabel Sutherland and Litchfield showcased their batting prowess, both narrowly missing out on half-centuries. Sutherland contributed 44 runs off 26 deliveries, while Litchfield scored 43 off 25 balls. Their contributions propelled Superchargers to a competitive total of 138 for 4.
In their pursuit, Manchester Originals made a promising start but faltered after losing their openers, Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney, within the first 30 balls. Superchargers’ seamer Kate Cross played a pivotal role, dismissing Wolvaardt and finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 20.
The Originals’ batting lineup struggled to cope with the Superchargers’ relentless bowling attack, losing wickets at regular intervals. Five different bowlers shared the spoils, highlighting the depth and effectiveness of the home side’s bowling unit.
Annabel Sutherland, who was named the Meerkat Match Hero for the second consecutive game, expressed her delight with the team’s performance. She praised the collective effort, particularly the bowlers’ ability to defend a seemingly modest total.
