Grace Harris Leads Spirit to Narrow Win Over Originals

It was a nail-biter at Old Trafford on August 11, 2025, as the London Spirit Women snatched a thrilling three-wicket win over the Manchester Originals Women in the ninth match of The Hundred Women’s Competition. A buzzing crowd of 6,442 was glued to their seats as the Spirit chased down 123 runs, finishing at 124 for 7 with just two balls left. Grace Harris was the hero, earning Player of the Match for her unbeaten 50 off 32 balls, coolly steering her team through a heart-stopping chase to seal the victory.

Manchester Originals Set the Stage

The match kicked off with London Spirit’s captain, Charlie Dean, winning the toss and choosing to bowl, likely eyeing the cloudy skies and hoping for some early movement on the Old Trafford pitch. The Manchester Originals, led by Beth Mooney, had their work cut out to post a solid total in the 100-ball format, but things went south quickly. Kathryn Bryce, the Scottish all-rounder, was the first to fall, nicking one behind to Georgia Redmayne off Tara Norris for just 2 runs off 6 balls.

Superb from Sarah Glenn 💙

The pressure is mounting on Manchester Originals 💥#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/R5GB3sATiM

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 11, 2025

Norris came out firing, giving away only 10 runs in her 10 balls while grabbing that key early wicket, putting the Originals on the back foot. Things got worse when Amelia Kerr, the New Zealand star, was run out for 1 run off a single ball after a mix-up involving Eva Gray and Norris. That left the Originals wobbling at 10 for 2 after just 12 balls, their top order in tatters. Beth Mooney, though, brought some calm, stroking a classy 26 off 20 balls with five gorgeous boundaries. She looked set to anchor the innings, but her stay ended in the 31st ball, caught by Norris off Charlie Dean’s off-spin, leaving the score at 46 for 3.

Seren Smale, sent in to steady the ship, couldn’t find her groove, scratching out 5 runs off 12 balls before Sarah Glenn’s spin sent her stumps flying, pushing the Originals to 46 for 4 after 39 balls. Enter Deandra Dottin, the West Indian powerhouse, who lit up the stage with a cracking 36 off 30 balls, smashing four boundaries with raw aggression. She teamed up with Fi Morris for a vital 31-run stand, with Morris chipping in a lively 20 off 15 balls, including a four and a six, before Charli Knott had her caught by Glenn in the 65th ball.

Alice Monaghan kept the scoreboard ticking, finishing unbeaten on 18 off 18 balls with a single boundary, helping the Originals limp to 122 for 6. Extras added a handy 14 runs with 6 leg byes, 4 wides, and 4 no-balls. The Spirit’s bowlers were relentless, bowling with discipline and heart. Charlie Dean was the star, snagging 2 wickets for 18 runs in her 20 balls, keeping things tight with an economy of 0.90 runs per ball. Sarah Glenn matched her intensity, taking 1 for 18 in her 20 balls, while Tara Norris and Charli Knott kept the runs in check.

Issy Wong didn’t get a wicket but bowled smartly, conceding just 1.20 runs per ball over her 20 deliveries. The Originals’ total of 122 felt like it could be defended on a pitch that gave spinners a bit of grip, but they would need to bring their A-game to stop the Spirit’s strong batting lineup. The Originals’ innings was a story of fightback after a shaky start. Losing Bryce and Kerr early put them in a hole, but Mooney’s elegance and Dottin’s power dragged them past 100. The middle overs were steady but not spectacular, with wickets falling at the wrong times.

Charlie Dean takes a wicket with the 100th ball and Manchester Originals finish on 122 🧮#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/mLHTKXY5vU

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 11, 2025

Their best effort was a 45-run stand for the sixth wicket between Dottin and Monaghan, which gave them a fighting chance, but they would have wanted a few more runs to feel truly comfortable. The Originals struggled to build on their starts, with their best effort being the 45-run stand between Dottin and Monaghan. Dottin’s 36 was the highlight, but losing wickets at key moments kept them to a run-a-ball rate of 1.22. The Spirit’s bowlers, with Dean’s spin and Norris’s pace leading the way, made sure the target stayed chaseable.

London Spirit’s Dramatic Chase

The Spirit’s chase started with a bit of promise but hit rough waters early. Openers Kira Chathli and Georgia Redmayne put on 27 runs, with Redmayne cracking 11 off 12 balls, including two crisp fours, before Mahika Gaur got her caught by Kerr in the 25th ball. Danielle Gibson, pushed up the order, lasted just two balls before Amelia Kerr bowled her for a duck, leaving the Spirit at 27 for 2 after 27 balls. Then came Grace Harris, who walked in and owned the crease. Teaming up with Chathli, who played a steady 34 off 30 balls with four boundaries, Harris got the innings back on track with a 29-run stand. Chathli fell in the 59th ball, caught by Kerr off Danielle Gregory, with the score at 56 for 3.

It's all in the balance ⚖️

Has Melie Kerr changed the momentum? #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/YMm6nbOD3P

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 11, 2025

Charli Knott came in next, adding 9 off 10 balls with a four, but Deandra Dottin bowled her in the 76th ball, pushing the Spirit to 80 for 4. The tension cranked up as Cordelia Griffith fell for 2 off 3 balls, caught by Sophie Ecclestone off Kerr in the 84th ball, leaving the score at 97 for 5. With the run rate creeping up, the pressure was intense. Issy Wong and Charlie Dean went down swinging to Kathryn Bryce’s medium pace. Wong was trapped lbw for 5 off 5 balls in the 93rd ball, and Dean followed for a golden duck, also lbw, on the next ball, leaving the Spirit in deep trouble at 114 for 7. A review for Wong’s wicket stood, piling on the drama, with 9 runs needed off the last 7 balls.

But Grace Harris didn’t flinch. She reached her fifty off 32 balls, mixing power with poise, smashing five fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 156.25. Sarah Glenn played a crucial cameo, blasting 10 off 4 balls with two fours, giving Harris the support she needed. Harris sealed the deal off the 98th ball, lifting the Spirit to 124 for 7, earning them 4 points while the Originals walked away with nothing. The Originals’ bowling had its moments, with Amelia Kerr leading the charge, taking 2 for 17 in her 20 balls at a stingy 0.85 runs per ball. Kathryn Bryce was solid, grabbing 2 for 26 in her 20 balls, while Mahika Gaur, Deandra Dottin, and Danielle Gregory each picked up a wicket.

W W W

The defending champions make it three from three 🔥#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/KywfkE7jD7

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 11, 2025

Sophie Ecclestone, usually a game-changer, had a rare off day, going wicketless and leaking 29 runs in her 20 balls, which hurt her team’s cause. Harris’s knock was pure class under pressure. She kept the scoreboard moving even as wickets tumbled, showing both power and smarts. The Spirit’s middle order wobbled, but her ability to find gaps and stay calm kept them in the hunt. Glenn’s quickfire runs at the end were a lifesaver, easing the tension in those final moments. For the Spirit, Harris was the game-changer. Her ability to keep going despite losing partners showed her experience and nerve. The bowling unit’s teamwork, with Dean and Glenn shining, set up the chase perfectly.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

Deandra Dottin’s 36 off 30 balls was the match’s standout moment, earning TCNI’s Magic Moment. Coming in at a shaky 46 for 4, she smashed four boundaries at a strike rate of 120.00, pushing the Originals to a fighting 122 for 6.

Charlie Dean takes a wicket with the 100th ball and Manchester Originals finish on 122 🧮#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/mLHTKXY5vU

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 11, 2025

Her 31-run stand with Fi Morris steadied things after early losses of Bryce (2) and Kerr (1). Even with Charlie Dean (2/18) and Sarah Glenn (1/18) bowling tightly, Dottin’s power kept the Originals alive until she fell on the last ball.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Grace Harris was the match’s star, earning TCNI’s Hero of the Day for her unbeaten 50 off 32 balls. Chasing 123, she blasted five fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 156.25, staying rock-solid as wickets fell, including Chathli’s 34 and Wong’s 5.

Talk about impact. #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/fFUCI0iTeU

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 11, 2025

Her cool-headed batting against Deandra Dottin (0/32) and Sophie Ecclestone (0/29) guided the Spirit to 124 for 7 in 98 balls, clinching a heart-pounding win and hence the London Spirits will be looking to keep the momentum with them.