Last update on.From The Hundred
Women's Hundred Eliminator: Kia Oval Oval Invincibles (114-7; 100 balls); Kapp 37 (37), Capsey26 (20); Gordon 2--22 Birmingham Phoenix (94 balls); A Jones 35; Farrant 4--10 Invincibles win with 20 runs Scorecard
Oval Invincibles rallied from the brink with stunning style to win the inaugural women's Hundred final. They defeated Birmingham Phoenix by 20 runs in the eliminator.
The Phoenix, chasing 115, were cruising at 66-2 when the Invincibles turned the game around on their home turf through the brilliance and skill of Tash Farrant, captain Dane van Niekerk, and the brilliantness of Dane van Niekerk.
Farrant, the tournament's top wicket-taker, made a stunning diving catch to disarm Erin Burns for 23. The Oval crowd of over 12,000 was still agitated when Amy Jones, Phoenix skipper, offered 35.
Although the Phoenix needed only 49 of 49 balls, the Invincibles fought back to win by taking six more wickets to beat the visitors for 94.
Van Niekerk, the unflappable, perfect leader, was able to catch a brilliant reaction from her own bowling.
Southern Brave will face her side in Saturday's final. The match starts at 15:00 BST. It will be broadcast live on BBC Two.
Superb Farrant wins in two magical minutes
Heather Knight, England's skipper, described Farrant’s incredible catch as a "diving Superman effort". This was a description that drew gasps in this crowd.
Burns, who was in control with Jones, hit the ball high into the air, but Farrant flew to Farrant's left to grab the ball, almost horizontally to the ground.
Farrant stated that he didn't know the details. "I just kind of pluck it out of the air."
After returning to her day job, Jones was removed with a slower ball. Farrant and her team-mates from Invincibles roared with delight as the crowd cheered. Jones covered Jones' face with her right hand. It was an important moment for Jones.
Farrant, a Greek-born and raised in Singapore and Italy, was not successful.
To wrap up the game, she took three more wickets and ended with astonishing figures of four wickets for only 10 runs.
Farrant's contract with England was terminated in 2019, and she worked as a teacher in a school. However, this is the best performance in a year that Farrant has had since returning to international work.
Knight stated at the end, "She looks emotion," "I'm proud of what she did."
Van Niekerk = Captain Fantastic
We cannot forget Van Niekerk's excellence.
She proved to be not only a great player, but also a good leader.
After 45 balls, the game was losing momentum. She called for a strategic timeout, and after consulting with Invincibles coaches, she gave what appeared to be a passionate, firm team-talk. Six balls later, the game was hers.
Dane stated that he would not leave anything off this pitch. Farrant stated, "Go out with a fight."
"Her greatest strength is how passionate she is about the sport. She is a great captain and cares deeply about the team.
Carlos Brathwaite, Manchester Originals men's team captain, praised Brathwaite's match-defining captaincy as well as her passion while she was a BBC TV pundit.
He said that Van Niekerk was the Virat Kohli for women's cricket, referring to India's top-ranked captain. "Look at the joy [for her wicket]!" The passion is what I love."
Are nerves able to get to Phoenix?
Phoenix, who won their three previous group games to secure an unlikely elimination place, will feel that they had the game won on several occasions.
To achieve their below-par score, the Invincibles required a 54-member partnership from Marizanne Kapp & Alice Capsey (17).
They looked like they were going to win with Jones and Burns at the crease, but it didn't happen.
Alex Hartley, England World Cup winner, suggested that the large crowd and huge stage might have been to blame.
Hartley stated that Hartley was not aware of any domestic situations similar to those described by the BBC.
It is huge. Today, the nerves are getting the best of the girls."
