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In a spectacular display of fielding prowess, Sophia Smale of the Oval Invincibles Women took a memorable one-handed catch off her own bowling to dismiss Sophie Devine in the opening game of The Hundred Women’s 2024 competition.
Sophia Smale’s remarkable catch and Sophie Devine’s departure
The match held at Kennington Oval in London, witnessed a thrilling moment when Devine, attempting a shot to the on-side, got a leading edge on the 51st ball of Birmingham Phoenix ‘s innings. As the ball looped high into the air, Smale exhibited remarkable anticipation and agility, timing her jump to perfection. With a fully extended arm, she plucked the ball out of the air in a stunning one-handed grab.
This remarkable effort not only sent Devine back to the pavilion but also significantly impacted the course of the match. Devine, who had scored 13 runs off 12 balls with two boundaries, was dismissed with Birmingham Phoenix at 64/4, struggling in their chase of a daunting target of 151 runs.
Here’s the video:
SOPHIA SMALE! 🫢
That is SOME catch! 🤩#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/yX2jNM1Cbi
— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 23, 2024
Birmingham Phoenix falters in chase
The dismissal of Devine marked a turning point in the game as Birmingham Phoenix faltered in their chase, eventually being bowled out for just 105 runs in 92 balls. The entire batting lineup struggled against a disciplined Oval Invincibles bowling attack. Despite a valiant effort from Amy Jones, who top-scored with 21 runs off 15 balls, Birmingham Phoenix failed to build any substantial partnerships, resulting in a 45-run defeat.
The Oval Invincibles’ bowlers, led by Amanda-Jade Wellington, were exceptional in their execution. Wellington’s three-wicket haul was instrumental in dismantling the Birmingham Phoenix lineup. The combined pressure from Wellington, Smale, and the rest of the bowling unit ensured that Birmingham Phoenix could never settle, leading to their dismissal with more than a handful of overs remaining.
Also READ: Women’s The Hundred 2024: Full squads of all 8 teams with overseas players
Oval Invincibles’ robust batting
Earlier, The Oval Invincibles set a solid foundation with a commanding batting performance after being asked to bat first. Despite an early loss of captain Lauren Winfield-Hill, who was dismissed for 12 runs on the 19th ball, the innings was anchored by a stellar partnership between Paige Scholfield and Alice Capsey.
Scholfield’s aggressive 71 off 40 balls, featuring 12 boundaries, and Capsey’s composed 52 off 40 balls, including five fours, propelled the Invincibles to a total of 150/5 in 100 balls. Their innings showcased a blend of aggression and resilience, setting a challenging target for the opposition. The contributions of Scholfield and Capsey were particularly noteworthy, demonstrating their ability to adapt and perform under pressure.
Upcoming matches in The Hundred Women’s 2024
With this impressive victory, the Oval Invincibles have made a strong statement at the start of the tournament. Birmingham Phoenix will need to regroup quickly as they face the London Spirit Women in their next match on Saturday (July 27). Meanwhile, the Oval Invincibles will continue their campaign against the Welsh Fire Women, aiming to extend their winning streak and solidify their position in the tournament standings.
