MNR VS SOB MATCH 2

Right then, Southern Brave have edged past Manchester Originals in this thrilling encounter and registered a win in their opening clash. But the action doesn't stop here in The Hundred! The next double-header takes us to Leeds on Thursday, 7 August, where the Northern Superchargers will host the Welsh Fire. The women’s clash will kick off first at 7.30 pm IST (2:00 pm GMT), followed by the men’s fixture at 11 pm IST (5:30 pm GMT). With both teams looking to start their campaigns on a high, expect another cracking day of cricket. If today's opener is anything to go by, we're in for a rollercoaster ride this season. Until then, take care! CIAO!

Tymal Mills is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Mills credits the Manchester Originals' excellent bowling, which kept the game intense until the end. Praises Craig Overton for his crucial big hits in the final overs. Mills reveals that the team's strategy was to get bat on ball, scavenge for quick singles, and take the game deep. Commends Topley's brilliant bowling, which rewarded him for bowling the right lengths. Mills feels that the target was achievable at the halfway stage, and the team was relieved to get the win. With eight games in the tournament, Mills emphasises the importance of winning close encounters, hoping this victory will give them momentum for their next game on Sunday.

Time for the Post-Match Presentations...

Earlier in the first inning, Manchester Originals were put in to bat by the Southern Brave. They had a steady start, but the Brave bowlers kept them in check with disciplined bowling. After Hurst fell cheaply, the skipper Phil Salt and Jos Buttler rebuilt, but wickets at regular intervals prevented them from ever accelerating fully. Tymal Mills bowled with pinpoint precision, used slower balls cleverly, and picked up three major wickets, while Overton and Jordan also played their roles in containing the flow. The Originals would've felt they were 10–15 runs short, especially given the situation of the match later on.

Manchester Originals’ bowlers nearly pulled off this game. Sonny Baker was exceptional with the new ball, removing Vince and Roy to keep Brave on the back foot. Noor Ahmad continued his magic from last season, as he was almost unplayable at times, mixing lengths and pace beautifully to bag two crucial wickets. Scott Currie was a standout too, picking up four wickets and bowling tight lines under pressure. But the veteran James Anderson had an off day, going for 36 runs and lacking the rhythm we're used to seeing. In the final overs, the Originals lost their grip just when it mattered, giving away boundaries at the wrong time.

Chasing 132, the Brave innings got off to a rocky start as James Vince was cleaned up early by a fierce delivery from Sonny Baker. But Leus du Plooy and Jason Roy steadied the ship, finding gaps and punishing loose balls. Du Plooy hit a couple of boundaries before being undone by a lovely slower one from Currie. Roy, looking in vintage touch, took on Anderson before also falling to Baker. Despite wickets tumbling at regular intervals, especially through Noor and Currie, Brave kept their scoring rate healthy. With eight wickets down, it came down to some brave blows from Craig Overton and Tymal Mills. Overton smashed 18 from just 8, and Topley finished it off with a crisp boundary, capping off a nerve-jangling finish.

PHEW! WHAT A MATCH! Nerve-wracking, thrilling, and dramatic – this second match had it all and has set up this season very well as what fans can expect from The Hundred 2025. Southern Brave held their nerve well in a tense chase and have clinched victory by just one wicket, with only one ball to spare. Manchester Originals had their moments in both innings, but they couldn’t close the game out despite some standout bowling efforts. Brave showed more grit in the final overs, with late fireworks from the lower order sealing the deal in front of a buzzing Manchester crowd.

FOUR! Reece Topley holds his nerves and cuts this in front of backward point and finds the fence for a boundary to wrap this game. Short and wide outside off, Reece Topley stays leg side and cuts this past backward point to his right for a boundary to seal the game. Southern Brave have won this by 1 wicket and just 1 ball to spare.

Reece Topley comes out to bat as Southern Brave need 3 runs off the last 2 balls.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Could you believe it? Tymal Mills has nailed it right off the middle of his bat, but he ends up finding Scott Currie at sweeper cover. Southern Brave are 9 down, needing 3 runs off the last 2 balls. What a game this has turned into. A low-scoring thriller. On a length, wide of off, Tymal Mills swings at it and connects perfectly. But Mills lacked power as this heads straight to Currie at the fence towards sweeper cover, who takes it there.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Could you believe it? Tymal Mills has nailed it right off the middle of his bat, but he ends up finding Scott Currie at sweeper cover. Southern Brave are 9 down, needing 3 runs off the last 2 balls. What a game this has turned into. A low-scoring thriller. On a length, wide of off, Tymal Mills swings at it and connects perfectly. But Mills lacked power as this heads straight to Currie at the fence towards sweeper cover, who takes it there.

Back of a length around off, Craig Overton punts this down to long on and takes one. 3 needed off the last 3 now.

Starts the final set of 5 with a dot. Good length, around off. Craig Overton thumps this back to the bowler.

Back of a length around off, Tymal Mills goes for the pull but gets it high off his bat and towards point for a single. Southern Brave need just 4 runs off the last five balls.

Short-pitched, around middle and off, Craig Overton pulls this towards fine leg for one.

FOUR! What a turn of events in a matter of just 4 deliveries. Back of a length around middle and leg, Craig Overton pulls this flat and over square leg for a boundary.

FOUR! DROPPED! How costly will this drop turn out to be for Manchester Originals? Have they dropped the match? Sonny Baker bends his back and darts in a short-pitched delivery in middle and off. Craig Overton goes for the lofted stroke over extra cover. Overton hits this high off the bottom of his bat, and this was just behind Scott Currie at extra cover. Phil Salt moves to his left from mid off, but Scott Currie, running back towards the incoming Salt, gets a bit of hand to it and deflects this all the way to the fence for four towards long off.