Oval Invincibles stormed to an emphatic 48-run victory over favourites Southern Brave to become the first women's Hundred champions on a historic afternoon at Lord's. After setting a target of 122, the Invincibles bowled out the Brave for just 73 in a perfect bowling performance.
Marizanne Kapp took three wickets in the first 10 balls - the Brave's top three batters all out without scoring. And with a 17,116-strong crowd watching on - a record for a women's domestic match anywhere in the world - the frantic start continued when Fran Wilson's brilliant throw ran out Maia Bouchier.
Brave, who cruised through the group stages with seven wins from eight, had no answer to the fired-up Invincibles and subsided to a miserable defeat on the biggest of occasions. Kapp, who also scored 26 in the Invincibles' 121-6, took the final wicket and looked in disbelief before she was lifted into the air by her wife Dane van Niekerk, the Invincibles' masterful, inspirational captain.
"It is so historical and special," Van Niekerk, 28, said. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to take in playing here. It was a childhood dream to play a final here and win it. It is special."
This is the very first time a women's domestic final has been held at Lord's. England World Cup winner Alex Hartley said: "I have no idea what is going on," whilst England captain Heather Knight added: "It was almost the perfect performance by Oval Invincibles."
Many of the Invincibles players were emotional as they celebrated with each other. In all it was a special day for women's sport in the UK and English cricket as a whole. The Hundred tournament has its detractors - but the sight of a large, youthful crowd at Lord's for a domestic women's match was something to behold.
