Sutherland holds nerve as Sunrisers edge past SpiritFigure caption, ‘Big wicket!’ – Sutherland bowls Kapp as Spirit crumbleByFfion WynneBBC Sport JournalistPublished33 minutes agoThe Hundred women’s competition, HeadingleyLondon Spirit 136-7 (100 balls): Harris 51 (27); Sharma 2-18Sunrisers Leeds 142-5 (98 balls): Sutherland 37* (21); George 3-25Sunrisers Leeds won by five wicketsScorecard. Table
Australia all-rounder Annabel Sutherland led Sunrisers Leeds to a hard-fought win over London Spirit in The Hundred to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.
After a strong start in pursuit of 137, dominated by Phoebe Litchfield’s 30 off 17, Sunrisers then lost three wickets for two runs in the space of six balls as Spirit fought back into contention.
But Sutherland added 54 for the fourth wicket with captain Dani Gibson, before a crucial cameo of 13 off five balls from fellow Australian Jess Jonassen got them over the line with two balls to spare.
Sutherland finished unbeaten on 37 from 21 balls which included a stunning pull shot for six to hit the winning runs in style.
Sunrisers’ bowlers were also superb in the latter half of Spirit’s innings which was fragmented by a rain delay, as Grace Harris’ 51 at the top of the order put the home side in danger of conceding an imposing total.
Spirit reached 91-1 off 50 balls before the rain, but proceeded to lose their last six wickets for just 35 runs as Harris and Marie Kelly fell within the first seven balls after the break.
Sutherland chipped in with the big wicket of Marizanne Kapp for 18 while spinners Hannah Baker and Deepti Sharma impressed with two wickets apiece.
The result helps Sunrisers move up to fourth in the table but they are still six points behind Manchester Super Giants in third, while Spirit are on the brink with just one win in five games so far.
