Beth Mooney has hit the highest-ever score in the women’s Hundred but was left a tantalizing three runs short of a century.
Key points:
- Beth Mooney needed a six from the final ball of the innings to reach her ton, but managed only two
- Mooney’s innings of 97* featured 16 fours and a six
- Despite the knock, Mooney’s London Spirit were beaten by six wickets by the Southern Brave
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.
Kerr was one of three wickets claimed by Amanda-Jade Wellington (3-30 off 20 balls) but Brave’s other Australian bowler Molly Strano was 0-33 off her 20.
The total looked competitive, especially as Australia’s Tahlia McGrath was absent with illness.
But despite tight bowling by another Aussie, Megan Schutt (0-22 off 20), Brave won with six balls to spare.
England’s Danni Wyatt smacked 65 off 34 to launch the run-chase before being run out by a direct hit from Kerr after being called for a sharp single by Sophie Dunkley. Her England teammate made amends by batting through to the end for an unbeaten 34 (off 24).
The 17-year-old Freya Kemp wrapped up victory with 14 from six balls, starting and finishing with a six.
AAP
.
