Beth Mooney sets new record in women’s Hundred, but falls agonizingly short of competition’s first ever century

Beth Mooney has hit the highest-ever score in the women’s Hundred but was left a tantalizing three runs short of a century.

The Australian batter also ended on the losing side as her London Spirit team lost by six wickets to last year’s runners-up Southern Brave.

At one stage, Mooney looked like she would score the first century in the competition, which has just embarked on its second year, but needing to hit the last ball of the innings for six she managed only two.

The left-hander’s shot placement in front of a crowd of about 9,000 at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl was superb, toying with the field as she stroked 16 fours and a six.

“Credit to Beth Mooney, she was outstanding. As a captain and bowler she makes you feel like you haven’t got a clue about where to put your fielders,” Southern Brave captain Anya Shrubsole said.

Mooney’s unbeaten 97 off 55 balls was the mainstay of Spirit’s 4-155 off their 100 balls with only New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr (37 off 27) also reaching double figures.