Sophie Devine Cleans Up Meg Lanning With A Jaffa In The Hundred Women 2025

The Hundred Women 2025 produced another unforgettable night at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, where Southern Brave Women extended their unbeaten run with a resounding 89-run victory over Oval Invincibles Women. It was a match that had everything: classy batting, relentless bowling, and a moment of pure magic when Sophie Devine sent Meg Lanning’s stumps cartwheeling with a delivery that will be replayed for years to come.

Brave’s dominance was total — first piling up 161/6 through crucial contributions from Laura Wolvaardt and Maia Bouchier, and then dismantling Invincibles for just 72 in 83 balls. The result not only consolidated Brave’s position at the top of the table but also delivered a statement: the road to the Women’s Hundred 2025 title runs through Southampton.

First Innings: Brave Batters Set the Tone

Winning the toss and opting to bat, Southern Brave came out with intent. Their top order, featuring some of the most destructive names in women’s cricket, looked to assert dominance from the outset.

Laura Wolvaardt once again showcased her class, striking a fluent 36 off 26 balls. Her ability to thread gaps and punish loose deliveries set the tempo.
Maia Bouchier, playing with freedom, added 34 from 24 balls, mixing orthodox strokes with innovative shots to keep the scoring rate healthy.

Despite occasional hiccups, including quick wickets in the middle overs, Brave never let the scoreboard stall. Their innings was built on partnerships, with each batter contributing in bursts.

The Invincibles’ bowlers tried to apply pressure, with Phoebe Franklin (2/28) standing out for her discipline and variations. She was ably supported by the spinners, who slowed the run flow at crucial junctures. But every time Invincibles clawed back, Brave found an answer — often through boundary bursts in the middle overs.

By the end of their 100 balls, Southern Brave had posted 161/6 — a total above par on a surface offering grip but true bounce. It was the kind of score that gave their bowlers the perfect platform.

Second Innings: Invincibles’ Chase Falls Apart

Chasing 162 was always going to be a challenge against a Brave attack that has smothered teams all season. But what unfolded shocked even the most optimistic Brave supporters.

From ball one, the Invincibles struggled to find momentum. The opening pair looked tentative, unable to counter the pace and swing of Lauren Bell. Wickets began to tumble with alarming regularity.

The defining blow came early: Meg Lanning, the backbone of Invincibles’ lineup, was undone by an unplayable delivery from Sophie Devine.

Sophie Devine’s ‘Dream Delivery’

It was the kind of ball that cricketers dream of delivering and dread facing. Devine steamed in, hitting a perfect good length. The ball kissed the seam, straightened ever so slightly, and beat Lanning’s immaculate defense before clipping the top of off stump.

Lanning, one of the most technically sound batters in world cricket, was left bewildered. The stumps lit up, commentators erupted, and fans on social media instantly declared it a “jaffa of the tournament.”

That dismissal didn’t just remove Invincibles’ key batter — it shattered their chase psychologically. With Lanning gone, the rest of the lineup looked shell-shocked.

Devine’s final figures of 2/15 captured her impact, but it was that single ball that stole the show. Unsurprisingly, she was named Player of the Match.

Collapse Under Pressure

From there, Invincibles unraveled. Only Amanda-Jade Wellington (18) offered some resistance. The rest folded meekly, undone by Brave’s clinical execution.

The bowling card tells its own story:

Mady Villiers (3/17) spun a web around the middle order.
Lauren Bell (2/11) continued her fine form with deadly new-ball spells.
Georgia Adams (2/6) chipped in with accuracy and control.
Devine (2/15) provided the magical moments.

The Invincibles were bundled out for just 72 runs in 83 balls — one of their heaviest defeats in Hundred history.

Player Performances: Who Stood Out?

Southern Brave Women

Laura Wolvaardt (36 off 26): Classy strokeplay, set the tone.
Maia Bouchier (34 off 24): Aggressive intent, provided middle-overs impetus.
Sophie Devine (2/15): Player of the Match, produced the delivery of the season to dismiss Meg Lanning.
Mady Villiers (3/17): Controlled spin bowling, broke the back of Invincibles’ chase.
Lauren Bell (2/11): Lethal with the new ball, continues to be Brave’s bowling spearhead.

Oval Invincibles Women

Phoebe Franklin (2/28): The lone bright spot with disciplined bowling.
Amanda-Jade Wellington (18): Top-scored, but lacked support.
The rest of the lineup struggled badly under relentless Brave pressure.

Tactical Breakdown

What Brave Did Right

Batting Partnerships: Even without a single huge score, Brave built partnerships that ensured momentum never stalled.
Bowling Variety: From Bell’s pace to Villiers’ spin and Devine’s seam movement, Brave had every condition covered.
Fielding Intensity: Sharp catches and ground fielding kept the pressure sky-high.

What Went Wrong for Invincibles

Overdependence on Lanning: Once she was dismissed, their batting lacked direction.
Failure to Rotate Strike: Too many dot balls created scoreboard pressure.
Middle-Order Fragility: Their inability to absorb Brave’s bowling spells was exposed brutally.

Impact on the Tournament

This win has major implications for The Hundred Women 2025:

Southern Brave: With this win, Brave remain the only unbeaten side, cementing their spot at the top of the table. Their net run rate has also received a huge boost.
Oval Invincibles: The defeat dents their playoff chances. More importantly, the margin of loss hurts their confidence and NRR at a crucial stage.

Fan and Social Media Reactions

Cricket Twitter exploded after Devine’s magic ball. Fans dubbed it “the ball of the tournament” and compared it to the greatest deliveries in women’s cricket history.

One fan wrote: “Sophie Devine just bowled the perfect delivery. If Meg Lanning can’t keep it out, nobody can!”
Another added: “Southern Brave are inevitable. Batting, bowling, fielding — they have it all.”

Meanwhile, memes flooded timelines with Invincibles fans lamenting their collapse, while Brave fans hailed their team as “untouchable.”

Historical Context: Brave’s Dominance Grows

This isn’t just another win for Southern Brave. It’s part of a larger trend. Over the past three seasons, Brave have emerged as the most consistent side in The Hundred, blending international superstars with domestic talent seamlessly.

Their ability to win big matches with different players stepping up each time makes them dangerous. While Wolvaardt, Devine, and Bell often grab headlines, players like Villiers and Bouchier quietly play decisive roles.

For Invincibles, the loss highlights their struggles to find a settled combination. Despite boasting legends like Lanning, they’ve often underperformed against the very best.

Looking Ahead

Southern Brave Women: With playoffs virtually assured, their focus will now shift to fine-tuning ahead of the knockout stage. If they continue this form, they’ll enter as title favorites.
Oval Invincibles Women: They must regroup quickly. Their next matches are must-win, and senior players like Lanning, Wellington, and Franklin must lead the charge.

The Hundred thrives on drama, rivalries, and unforgettable moments. Match 19 at Southampton had all three. Southern Brave’s 89-run demolition of Oval Invincibles will be remembered not just for the scale of the win but for Sophie Devine’s magical ball that bowled Meg Lanning — a delivery destined to be etched in cricketing folklore.

For Brave, it was another night of dominance. For Invincibles, it was a wake-up call. And for fans, it was a reminder of why The Hundred continues to captivate: because in 100 balls, entire stories of triumph, heartbreak, and brilliance are written.

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