For a second successive game in Women's Hundred 2025, on Saturday, a team successfully defended a low score by two runs in a final-ball thriller. This time, it was London Spirit who prevailed over Welsh Fire, courtesy Charli Knott's stunning all-round show. The Australian allrounder top-scored with a fighting 47, amidst a collapse around her, to pull Spirit to 124 before they were bowled out. She also picked up the key wicket of in-form Tammy Beaumont to help Spirit restrict Fire to 122/5.
THE HUNDRED WOMEN'S COMPETITION 2025
All-round Charli Knott stars as London Spirit seal a thriller
Knott scored 47 off 33 and picked a wicket © Getty
Spirit's openers laid a brisk platform with the 34-run stand in 23 balls before both of them departed four balls apart and the team lost a total of four wickets for just 35 on the board in the next nine deliveries. Knott held one end, batting positively throughout despite losing partners at regular intervals. She hit seven boundaries in her 33-ball effort, and was the ninth batter dismissed after playing a vital role in giving Spirit a defendable total of 124.
Katie Levick (3/26) and Freya Davies (3 for 16) picked three-fers while Hayley Matthews chipped in with a brace, sending down 14 dots in her quota of 20.
The Caribbean star then combined with Sophia Dunkley to get the chase going in a slow but steady 37-run stand. Matthews dominated that partnership, making 26 off 24 before Issy Wong cleaned her up. Knott sent back the Fire skipper after her slow start in which she contributed a run-a-ball 11 before the dismissal.
Dunkley took her team past the 100-run mark but fell soon after. Jess Jonassen, with her patient 29, put the Fire on the brink before her untimely run-out on he 98th ball of the chase flipped the game on its head. A well-set Georgia Elwiss needed three off the final delivery but lost her wicket instead for Fire to go down in a chase they looked well in control of until moments ago.
Brief scores: London Spirit 124 (Charli Knott 47; Katie Levick 3-26, Freya Davies 3-16, Hayley Matthews 2-15) beat Welsh Fire 122/5 (Sophie Dunkley 36, Jess Jonassen 29; Charli Knott 1-16) by 2 runs
© Cricbuzz
