Davidson-Richards fifty sends Oval Invincibles crashing out

Oval Invincibles became the third team to be knocked out from the playoffs race at the Women's Hundred 2025 following a loss to Northern Superchargers at Headingley. The Invincibles, who opted to bat first, managed just 125, a total that was chased down rather comfortably courtesy a 32-ball 50 from Alice Davidson-Richards. The victory powered the Superchargers to 20 points, four behind already-qualified Southern Brave's tally and four ahead of Manchester Originals and London Spirit, who have played a game fewer.

The must-win game began ominously for the Invincibles, who lost Paige Scholfield to the first ball of the game, couldn't build any momentum into their innings. Their out-of-form captain Lauren WInfield-Hill even dropped herself down the order. But she had a rescue act to undertake after the Invincibles fell to 64 for 4 after 60 balls with their best batter of the tournament, Meg Lanning, trapped LBW by Linsey Smith for 21.

Winfield-Hill played a key hand in hitting 37 and found support lower down the order from Joanne Gardner and also Amanda Jade-Wellington whose cameos pushed the total to 125. For the Superchargers, Kate Cross returned an impressive 2 for 16 merely 24 hours after being left out of England's World Cup squad.

The hosts were barely challenged in the second innings as Davidson-Richards plundered a quickfire half-century. Phoebe Litchfield played a part herself in the 47-run stand for the wicket with her 29 while Nicola Carey wrapped up the chase with five balls to spare with a 15-ball 25*. The Invincibles' defence was hamstrung by a back injury to Tash Farrant, who could bowl only five balls. Alice Capsey also went off after a blow to her right hand while bowling but the England all-rounder was able to return to the attack but was ultimately powerless to prevent the elimination.

Brief scores: Oval Invincibles 125/6 in 100 balls (Lauren Winfield-Hill 37; Kate Cross 2-16) lost to Northern Superchargers 127/3 in 95 balls (Alice Davidson-Richards 50, Phoebe Litchfield 29; Amanda Jade-Wellington 1-19) by 7 wickets