Oval Invincibles returned to winning ways with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Manchester Originals in The Hundred at Emirates Old Trafford.
An unbeaten 67-run stand between Paige Scholfield and Marizanne Kapp from 37 balls took charge of the chase after the hosts managed 125 for four. In-form Scholfield crashed 48 from 27 balls after opener Chamari Athapaththu laid the foundation with 33 from 36 balls.
The Invincibles were equally as impressive in the field, highlighted by a host of sharp catches, with Australian leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington the pick of the bowlers with 2-22.
Both teams were looking to bounce back after disappointing results on Sunday. The Originals lost to rivals Northern Superchargers, while the Invincibles arguably let one slip in their derby draw with London Spirit to mark a rare two-game winless run.
After a slow start, which saw the Originals manage 25 without loss after the powerplay, openers Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney found the rope seven times in 15 balls.
Mooney, the No 2 draft pick, was just getting going when Seren Smale held a sharp chance at short third off Ryana MacDonald-Gay, who snapped up an even better catch at mid-on moments later to remove the competition’s second-highest runscorer Woolvardt.
The Originals started to slow, going 34 balls without a boundary before skipper Sophie Ecclestone added some much-needed late power to finish unbeaten on 26 from 15 balls.
The Invincibles set about proving that was not nearly enough on a good pitch with Sri Lanka star Athapaththu and captain Lauren Winfield-Hill adding 48 for the first wicket.
Alice Monaghan removed Winfield-Hill and Alice Capsey in quick succession and when Athapaththu was lbw to Kathryn Bryce there was work to do at 60-3.
Scholfield ensured any nerves were short-lived though as she found the rope on seven occasions, while Kapp added 19 from 11, to power the Invincibles home with seven balls to spare.
Player of the match: Paige Scholfield
“I really enjoyed it. We’ve had a couple of tough games in a row. You learn more from losing than winning and we went away and studied what was going on and I think we were more disciplined today.
“We just spoke about nudging her [Sophie Ecclestone] around and getting rotation of strike going and then going after the other bowlers.”
What’s next?
The Hundred continues with two matches on Wednesday. Trent Rockets and London Spirit women get the day started at 3pm followed by the men at 6.30pm, with both matches live on Sky Sports Cricket.