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London Spirit Women kicked off their Hundred Women’s Competition 2025 campaign with a sensational 17-run victory over the Oval Invincibles Women, powered by a record-breaking innings from Grace Harris. The Australian all-rounder’s blistering 89 from just 42 balls, studded with 7 fours and 6 sixes, was the cornerstone of a commanding total that ultimately proved too high for the defending champions to chase down at Lord’s. While Meg Lanning’s valiant knock of 85 offered a glimmer of hope for the Invincibles, the Spirit bowlers held their nerve in the final stages to register a well-deserved win.
Grace Harris fires London Spirit to a mammoth total
After being put in to bat, the London Spirit innings was initially steady but unspectacular, losing early wickets including the quick dismissals of Redmayne and Kira Chathli. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when the explosive Cordelia Griffith joined the crease. She took on the Invincibles bowlers with gusto, hammering 50 runs off a mere 29 deliveries, providing the much-needed impetus. Her partnership with Grace Harris laid the foundation for the Spirit’s late-innings assault. Once Griffith fell, Harris took over, unleashing a barrage of powerful strokes that left the Oval Invincibles’ bowling attack reeling. Her strike rate of 211.90 was a masterclass in T20 batting, and she single-handedly propelled her team to a formidable total of 176 for 5 in their 100 balls. The Invincibles’ bowlers, despite the best efforts of Marizanne Kapp and Tash Farrant who both picked up two wickets, struggled to contain the onslaught in the latter half of the innings.
Graca Harris won player of the match award for her brilliant knock of 89*#women #cricket #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/toS4NTaQdO
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) August 6, 2025
Meg Lanning’s lone fight not enough for Oval Invincibles
In response, the Oval Invincibles’ chase began on the worst possible note, losing captain Lauren Winfield-Hill for a duck on the second ball of their innings. Australian superstar Meg Lanning, however, was in a different mood. Playing a masterful hand, she took on the responsibility of the chase, finding boundaries with precision and rotating the strike with ease. Lanning’s innings of 85 from 51 balls was a classic display of class and power, keeping the Invincibles in the game almost single-handedly. She found a capable partner in Marizanne Kapp, whose quickfire 33 provided a crucial boost to the scoreboard. However, the London Spirit bowlers, particularly Issy Wong, were disciplined and struck at vital moments. Wong’s two key wickets, including the prized scalp of Lanning, were the turning point of the match. With the required run rate climbing and Lanning back in the pavilion, the Invincibles’ middle order was unable to find the boundaries needed to bridge the gap. The Spirited bowling unit, led by Wong’s impressive spell of 2 for 26, effectively stifled the chase, restricting the Invincibles to 159 for 4, and sealing a comfortable victory.
London Spirit defeated Oval Invincibles by 17 runs in the 1st match of the season 🏏#women #cricket #LondonSpirit #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/A1YV9e8Gox
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) August 6, 2025
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
