The Women’s Hundred kicked off with an intense battle between Southern Brave and Welsh Fire. The match took place at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, where Brave managed to pull off a narrow eight-run win. Southern Brave posted a total of 126 for seven in their 100-ball innings. Laura Wolvaardt led the scoring with an unbeaten 45 off 36 balls, supported by Lizelle Lee’s 31 and Sophie Molineux’s 22.
Welsh Fire started their chase confidently, reaching 80 for one after 58 balls. Georgia Voll played a key role with a 52 off 39 balls, and Freya Kemp contributed 39. However, the momentum shifted when Jemimah Rodrigues took a direct hit to run out Kemp. That moment sparked a major collapse in Fire’s innings.
Left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman struck early with a wicket, followed by Lauren Bell who removed Georgia Wareham and Em Arlott within a few balls. Sophie Molineux then claimed three wickets, including that of her opposite number Sophie Devine. The final collapse saw Fire lose five wickets for just six runs in 13 balls.
Despite the late wickets, the Brave managed to restrict Fire to 118 for eight. Heather Graham’s four-wicket haul with the ball was not enough to stop the Brave from winning. Molineux was named player of the match after taking three wickets for just 14 runs from 20 balls.
In the men’s game, Welsh Fire also got off to a strong start. They chased down Southern Brave’s total of 135 for seven with six wickets in hand. Phil Salt top-scored with an unbeaten 47 off 37 balls. His innings helped Fire reach 136 for four in 98 balls.
Southern Brave’s men’s team struggled to build a strong score, finishing at 135 for seven. The bowlers kept the pressure on, especially Marco Jansen and Matt Short, who took 2-17 and 1-5 respectively. Despite David Miller’s 44 and Thomas Rew’s 41, the Brave couldn’t keep up with the required run rate.
The match showcased strong performances from both teams in their respective games. For Southern Brave, it was a hard-fought win that sets a positive tone for the season. Welsh Fire showed resilience and capability, especially in the men’s game, where they secured their first victory of the tournament.
Both matches were closely contested, with key moments shaping the outcomes. In women’s cricket, Brave’s ability to hold their nerve under pressure proved decisive. In the men’s game, the team’s balanced approach and strong batting performance helped them take control early on.
The Hundred 2026 season is off to a promising start, with teams showing competitive spirit and tactical awareness. The next matches will be crucial in determining how the competition unfolds. Fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the tournament progresses.
IMAGE: Sophie Molineux bowling for the Victoria Women cricket team during a WNCL clash against the South Australian Scorpions at Murdoch University Sports Oval in Perth. Photo: Bahnfrend / Wikimedia, taken 2018-09-22, CC BY-SA 4.0
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