Northern Superchargers captured their maiden Women’s Hundred title with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Southern Brave at Lord’s on Sunday, chasing down a modest target of 116 with 12 deliveries to spare.
The triumph was anchored by Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey, who contributed a crucial unbeaten 35 from just 25 deliveries. Carey’s journey to the championship proved remarkable, having joined the tournament as an injury replacement just weeks earlier.
“Two weeks ago I was training through a Tasmanian winter,” Carey reflected. “Then came the call, a quick flight, and suddenly I’m competing in a final at Lord’s.”
The match represented a reversal of fortunes from the 2023 final, where Southern Brave had dominated proceedings. This season, Brave entered the championship contest with an unblemished record through the group stage, having won all eight preliminary matches.
However, Northern Superchargers seized early control after electing to field first. Kate Cross made immediate breakthroughs, while key Brave batters including Sophie Devine and Freya Kemp fell after promising starts. A mix-up resulted in Brave captain Georgia Adams being run out, restricting the Southern team to 115-6 from their 100 balls.
“We failed to apply sufficient pressure with the ball early in the chase,” Adams acknowledged. “Finals require resetting completely, and we couldn’t replicate our earlier form.”
The Northern response began steadily, with Australian phenom Phoebe Litchfield demonstrating her innovative strokeplay. The 22-year-old left-hander struck five boundaries, including two from her signature switch-hit stance. Though Litchfield fell for 28, the foundation had been established.
Following a brief rain interruption, Carey combined with Annabel Sutherland in an unbroken 60-run partnership that guided the Superchargers to victory. Sutherland fittingly ended the contest by launching a six over long-on.
The championship capped an extraordinary weekend for the Northern franchise, coming just 24 hours after 18-year-old Davina Perrin’s spectacular century in the eliminator had propelled the team into the final. While Perrin managed only 17 runs in the championship decider, her earlier performance had already cemented her status as one of English cricket’s most promising talents.
“Her innings was extraordinary,” Carey said of Perrin’s century. “The talent is undeniable – we could well see her representing England in major tournaments soon.”
The tournament conclusion arrives amid uncertainty about the Women’s Hundred’s future format under new ownership. Players have expressed hope that the competition’s successful elements will be preserved as the women’s game continues its rapid development.
“The tournament has genuine momentum now,” Adams noted. “We’re hopeful the core structure remains intact while being open to sensible evolution.”
