Brave's Record-Breaking Demolition of Invincibles in The Hundred

If you were watching the action at the Utilita Bowl, you just witnessed a piece of history. The Southern Brave didn't just win; they produced an absolutely devastating, all-around performance to inflict a record-breaking 89-run defeat on the Oval Invincibles. This wasn't just a match; it was a statement that keeps their perfect record intact and rockets them to the top of the table. The 2023 champions are looking unstoppable.

Key Highlights

• ✓ Southern Brave crushed Oval Invincibles by a stunning 89 runs, a new record margin in The Hundred women's competition.
• ✓ The win maintains Brave's 100% record, securing their fifth straight victory and placing them firmly at the top of the table.
• ✓ Sophie Devine was instrumental, taking two key wickets in her opening set and earning Meerkat Match Hero for the third consecutive game at home.
• ✓ Laura Wolvaardt continued her fantastic form, top-scoring with a rapid 36 off just 19 balls for the Brave.
• ✓ Mady Villiers cleaned up the tail with impressive figures of 3 for 17, as the Invincibles were bowled out for just 72.

Brave’s Batting Masterclass Sets the Tone

It all started when the Brave were put in to bat. Right from the get-go, their formidable top order showed they meant business. The England duo of Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge laid down a powerful foundation, putting on a blistering opening partnership of 59. Bouchier was the main aggressor, smashing 34 from just 23 balls before she was caught in the deep.

After Wyatt-Hodge departed for a solid 26, in came the ever-reliable Laura Wolvaardt. The South African captain just kept the momentum rolling, cruising to a fiery 36 from only 19 deliveries. Her innings included a stunning slog-swept six, showing just how good her form has been this season—this was her fourth score over 25 in five matches. It’s that kind of consistency that wins tournaments.

Even with a little mix-up that saw Sophie Devine run out for 19, the Brave didn't let up. Young gun Freya Kemp stepped up and made immediate amends with a sparky cameo that really pushed the total into intimidating territory. She smashed two huge sixes in her incredible 11-ball 24, ensuring the Brave posted a commanding target of 161 for 6. Everyone in the top five chipped in, a true team effort that put immense pressure on the Invincibles before they even faced a ball.

💡 What's Interesting: Match Hero Sophie Devine admitted, "I feel a bit embarrassed because today was a great team performance and there were so many people who should be standing here instead of me. Today was exceptional from this group and I'm really proud of everyone."

The Invincibles' Chase Crumbles Early

Chasing 162 in The Hundred is always a tall order, but the Oval Invincibles' pursuit felt over before it truly began. The culprit? The one and only Sophie Devine. In her very first set of five, the Kiwi superstar delivered a two-wicket burst that completely derailed the chase. First, she castled the legendary Meg Lanning with an absolute peach of a delivery, then sent Lauren Winfield-Hill packing just three balls later.

Talk about putting a team on the back foot. From that point on, there was simply no recovery. The pressure valve was tightened further when Lauren Bell came into the attack. She was devastating, striking with consecutive deliveries to get rid of her international teammates Alice Capsey and Paige Scholfield. Bell cleverly used the short ball to induce edges, and just like that, the visitors had slumped to a dismal 28 for 4. The game was slipping away fast.

The procession of wickets continued as the Brave bowlers dismantled the Invincibles' batting lineup with clinical precision. Marizanne Kapp and Phoebe Franklin couldn't stop the collapse, and soon the score was 43 for 6. The off-breaks of Mady Villiers proved particularly effective, as she picked up three lower-order wickets to finish with excellent figures of 3 for 17. The only real resistance came from Amanda-Jade Wellington, who remained unbeaten on 18, but it was a lonely fight. Ultimately, the Invincibles were skittled for just 72 in 83 balls, a truly dismal effort.

Rewriting the Record Books

This wasn't just another win for Southern Brave; it was a history-making one. The 89-run victory margin is now the biggest in the history of the women's Hundred. What's wild is that they broke a record that was only set the previous day, when London Spirit beat Birmingham Phoenix by 88 runs. It just goes to show the level of dominance Brave displayed on the day.

This performance also marks an incredible return to form for the Southampton-based side. After winning the tournament in 2023, they had a dismal 2024 season, winning just a single game and finishing at the bottom of the table. Fast forward to 2025, and they are the only unbeaten team in either the men's or women's competition. This victory solidifies their spot at the top of the standings, moving them ahead of London Spirit on net run-rate.

With just three matches left in the group stage, this comprehensive win sends a powerful message to all their challengers. They have always enjoyed their group-stage encounters against the Invincibles, and this fifth straight victory against them continues that trend. With their batters firing and bowlers like Lauren Bell now leading the tournament's wicket-taking charts with 12 dismissals, the Brave have set a very strong marker for the rest of the competition.

Conclusion

What we saw from the Southern Brave was a complete and utter masterclass. From the explosive opening partnership to the fiery cameos and the ruthless, clinical bowling attack, every player executed their role to perfection. They set an imposing total and then defended it with an intensity that the Oval Invincibles simply couldn't handle. The result was a record-breaking win that not only cements their place at the top of the table but also firmly establishes them as the team to beat in this year's Hundred.