The 18th match of The Hundred Women’s Competition 2026 at The Oval in London delivered a masterclass in spin bowling and dominant chasing on August 2, 2026. Manchester Super Giants Women (MSG-W) produced a clinical all-round performance to cruise past MI London Women (MIL-W) by 6 wickets with 28 balls to spare. Driven by an inspiring opening spell from star left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, MSG-W completely dismantled the opposition top order early on, laying the groundwork for a stress-free run chase in front of an enthusiastic London crowd.
Sophie Ecclestone strikes twice to remove Hayley Matthews and Alice Davidson-Richards with absolute jaffas
Deciding to share the new ball for the first time this season, Ecclestone delivered an extraordinary opening set of ten delivery sets that put MI London on the back foot immediately.
On just her second ball of the innings, Ecclestone landed a crisp length delivery that skidded through off the surface. MI London opener Alice Davidson-Richards attempted to hit across the line from the crease, only to be beaten by the pace and drift as the ball crashed into her stumps for a two-ball duck.
Ecclestone was far from finished. Just six balls later, on the eighth delivery of the match, she trapped dangerous West Indies hitter Hayley Matthews. Landing the ball on a probing length around off and middle, Ecclestone forced Matthews onto the back foot. Looking to block from inside the crease, Matthews caught a thick inside edge that chopped back directly onto her stumps.
By the end of her opening two sets of five, Ecclestone had taken two wickets while giving away just a single run (2-wickets for 1 run ). Her early double-strike effectively gutted the MIL-W top order before the innings could find any rhythm.
Here’s the video
Sophie Ecclestone strikes… TWICE 👀
The perfect start for Manchester Super Giants!#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/gj05rrOn5N
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 2, 2026
Also WATCH: Deandra Dottin takes a gravity-defying catch to dismiss Sophie Molineux as SB-W cruise past LS-W in The Hundred Women’s 2026
MSG-W seal a dominant win over MIL-W in The Hundred Women’s 2026
MI London never truly recovered from the early shock. Despite gritty middle-order efforts from Nicola Carey, Kira Chathli , Chinelle Henry, and skipper Hollie Armitage, the wickets fell at regular intervals. Ryana MacDonald-Gay picked up a brilliant 3/19 in her 19 balls, while Maitlan Brown and Grace Ballinger, maintained unrelenting pressure. Ecclestone finished her quota with figures of 2/7 off 20 balls, alongside taking two catches and effecting a run-out, as MI London were bowled out for a modest 92 in 99 balls.
Chasing a target of 93, Manchester Super Giants made quick work of the run chase. Openers Meg Lanning and Smriti Mandhana launched an explosive counter-attack, racing to without loss in the -ball Powerplay. The duo forged a decisive 73-run opening partnership off just 53 balls.
Although Kirstie Gordon and Melie Kerr struck late to dismiss both openers along with Richa Ghosh and Paige Scholfield in quick succession, Mady Villiers safely guided MSG-W past the finish line. The Super Giants reached 95/4 in just 72 balls, wrapping up a commanding 6-wicket victory. Ecclestone was rightly named Player of the Match for her match-defining bowling spell and active presence on the field.
Comfortable victory for Super Giants as they chased the target 28 balls remaining 🙌#TheHundred #ManchesterSuperGiants pic.twitter.com/IJubtOvp7t
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) August 3, 2026
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.