MNR W VS OVI W MATCH 18

Right then, that's a wrap from Match 18 where the Oval Invincibles Women defeated Manchester Originals Women. But don't you worry at all. We've got a streak of games lined up for ya! Up next is the men's contingent of the same two teams, Manchester Originals and Oval Invincibles going up against each other at the same Old Trafford. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (1400 GMT). While just in a few minutes or so, the second game of the women's doubleheader will be played at Edgbaston between Birmingham Phoenix Women and Northern Superchargers Women at 7.30 pm IST (1400 GMT) followed by the men's game at 11 pm IST (1730 GMT). Do switch the tabs and follow those games too. Take care, cheers!

Paige Scholfield is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her gutsy 48 off 27 that propelled Oval Invincibles Women to the victory. She is also up for a chat and says that they finished it pretty well and she is happy they did their job. She feels like they had a tough couple of games but they have learned from the mistakes. She continues that it was a decent score and was chasable. Ends up saying that her team is ready to face the upcoming hurdles and then they will see how it goes from there.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, Manchester Originals Women were a bit watchful to start with. Once they found their feet though, they began to accelerate. Woolvardt and Mooney put on a steady half-century partnership, but then the wheels came off. From a solid 50 without loss, they collapsed to 90 for 4. The Invincibles were sharp in the field, and their bowlers kept a tight leash on. Ecclestone came in down the order and gave the innings a much-needed boost, swinging lustily for a crucial 26. Her cameo helped the Originals scrape their way to a total of 125 - not quite par, but something to bowl at on this track which had a good purchase and bounce.

Despite snaring three quick wickets, the Originals were always going to be up against it with such a skinny total on the board. Also, unlike their opponents, they were a touch butter-fingered in the field, leaking a few boundaries that they could ill afford. The game ebbed and flowed, with both sides sensing victory at intervals, but in the end, that quickfire partnership between Kapp and Paige Scholfield helped Oval Invincibles Women cruise through comfortably.

The Originals Women must've been rueing those 15-20 runs left out in the middle. Defending a sub-par total of 125, they needed early breakthroughs to make a game of it. They managed to keep things quiet but without wickets, they were always under pressure. However, the tactical brilliance by Sophie Ecclestone to bring on Alice Monaghan paid off handsomely as she struck a crucial double blow, putting the clamps on in the middle overs - a mirror image of the first innings' squeeze where the Originals too slowed down considerably.

In such a fast-paced format like The Hundred, a few quiet sets and the asking rate skyrockets massively. But with the vastly experienced Marizanne Kapp at the crease, the Invincibles Women weren't out of it yet. Enter Paige Scholfield, who bravely counterpunched and took the attack to the bowlers and managed to ease the squeeze. Their partnership began to tilt the scales back in the Invincibles' favour. The two remained unbeaten with Paige being the real aggressor and Kapp showing all her experience, adapting as the second-fiddle. They added 67 runs off just 37 deliveries to seal the deal.

After an impressive display with the ball shouldered by some excellent groundwork in the field, a decent opening stand was all the Oval Invincibles Women expected and they did get one. Athapaththu and Winfield-Hill didn't exactly throw the kitchen sink at it, but they batted with textbook poise. It wasn't fireworks, but a well-constructed partnership. However, the momentum shifted away as they slipped from 48/0 to 60/3 very quickly within the span of just 13 balls. With the top order blown away, this mini-collapse put them under a bit of pressure midway through the chase.

Paige Scholfield does the job successfully for Oval Invincibles Women and they win this handsomely in the end with 7 wickets in hand and 7 balls to spare. They register their third victory of the season which helps them to leapfrog on the second position. For Manchester Originals Women, this is their third defeat this year and the second one at their home ground.

FOUR! Finishes off in style! What a way to end the inning! Kathryn Bryce bowls it fullish on middle. Paige Scholfield yet again, makes room for herself and lofts this half volley over the bowler. The ball races down the ground and the four runs help the Oval Invincibles Women to win.

Full and just outside off. Paige Scholfield drives it towards long on and gets a couple of runs.

FOUR! That is wonderfully timed! Short delivery, just outside off, shaping in towards off. Paige Scholfield makes a bit of a room and cuts it hard through the point region for another boundary.

Who bowls the penultimate set? Kathryn Bryce is into the attack. Oval Invincibles Women need 9 from 10 balls remaining.

On a length on off. Paige Scholfield comes down the track and lofts it over the bowler's head for a single. An expensive quota of 20 balls from Sophie Ecclestone comes to an end. She ends up wicketless this time around has conceded 32 runs.

Fullish delivery, on middle and leg. Paige Scholfield skips down the track and heaves it down the ground towards the long off fielder for a couple of runs.

Hard-length delivery on middle and leg. Marizanne Kapp nudges it towards deep mid-wicket and a single.

Fullish delivery on middle and leg. Paige Scholfield taps it towards long on and gets a comfortable single.