Lanning's assault on Aussies sets up Invincibles win

Yahoo

2 days ago

It is a rare experience for Australian bowlers to be clouted to all parts in the women's game, but if anyone can do it it's former captain Meg Lanning.
The veteran played the leading role as Oval Invincibles smashed the best powerplay score in the five-year history of the Hundred Women, cracking 54 in 25 balls, the first 50 of which came from 20 balls bowled by a trio of Aussies.
That set Invincibles up for a 100-ball score of 5-174, the third highest in Hundred history, and Birmingham Phoenix never looked like matching it.
Georgia Voll gave them brief hope with a scintillating start, making 22 off 15 balls, but was caught at midwicket with a juggling catch by compatriot Amanda Jade-Wellington.
There's a lot of work to do in this run chase, but Ellyse Perry is going for it! 💪#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/m30wgFGvzZ
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 12, 2025
Ellyse Perry hit her first two balls for four but she had come to the crease with Phoenix 2-31 needing a very demanding 144 off 74.
The allrounder had just reached 29 off 16 balls by launching Jade-Wellington for six, but was caught behind next ball trying to cut. Six balls later Jade-Wellington brilliantly ran out Emma Lamb (25) and at 4-83, with 59 balls gone, the game was done.
Jade-Wellington finished with 2-27 off her 20 balls as the visitors won by 22 runs at Edgbaston, Phoenix closing on 6-152.
Phoenix had opened up on Tuesday (local time) with a trio of Australians, Megan Schutt, skipper Perry and Voll, and Lanning tucked into them with English opening partner Lauren Wingfield-HIll.
A super shot by Meg Lanning! 🙇#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/IviZeeE7An
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 12, 2025
Meg Lanning launches a free hit from Georgia Voll for six
All three bowlers took punishment at a rate of more than 10-an-over, not helped by each conceding extras.
Perry used seven bowlers to try and stem the flow, but only spinner Hannah Baker had any effect, dismissing both openers as she took 2-24 in her 20, by far the best economy rate.
Lanning was caught at deep midwicket by Lamb for a 19-ball 36, then Wingfield-Hill was taken by Perry at mid-off for 33 off 27.
Meg Lanning is currently leading the way in #TheHundred Women's Competition with 177 runs! 😎 pic.twitter.com/yOg2ImQ95l
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 12, 2025
Meg Lanning has overtaken Grace Harris as this year's highest Hundred Women scorer.
However, Alice Capsey had come in with the platform set and the big-hitting England batter, dropped on 21, thumped 52 off 29 balls.
"The openers were brilliant," said Capsey. "One of our reflections after the first two games was that we bat so deep we can take some more calculated risks.
"They took the game on so nicely and it made my job pretty easy."
When she was out there were two balls left, Jade-Wellington was caught trying to hit the first for four, Ash Gardner then came in and hit her only ball to the boundary.
Perry finished with 0-34 off 20 balls, Schutt 1-34 off her 20, and Voll's only five-ball set went for 20.
"It was a little bit tough today," Perry told BBC. "We probably let up a few too many runs in the field, particularly in the powerplay. They batted really well as well, so you have to appreciate that. I thought we put up a pretty valiant chase and it was nice that we hung in there at the end."