The Hundred witnessed a piece of history as 18-year-old Davina Perrin produced one of the greatest individual batting displays the competition has seen, smashing the fastest women’s century in the tournament to fire Northern Superchargers into the final.
Perrin lit up the Oval with a breathtaking 42-ball hundred, eventually finishing on 101 from just 43 deliveries, an innings decorated with 15 fours and five towering sixes. Her stroke play dismantled a London Spirit bowling attack stacked with international quality, including England stars Issy Wong, Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean. It was only the second century in the women’s Hundred after Tammy Beaumont’s ton in 2023, and Perrin’s effort comfortably surpassed the previous highest team total in the competition.
Powered by her brilliance, the Superchargers posted a mammoth 214 for five, a score that proved far beyond the reach of the defending champions. Grace Ballinger and Annabel Sutherland backed up the batting heroics with three wickets each, ensuring the Spirit’s reply fizzled out at 172 for nine. The 42-run win booked the Superchargers a place in Sunday’s final against unbeaten Southern Brave, setting up a tantalising clash for the trophy.
Reflecting on her record-breaking feat, Perrin admitted she had found herself in a rare rhythm, describing the innings as one of those special moments when everything clicked. Cheered on by around 20 family members and friends, she laughed when told she was just one ball slower than the men’s Hundred record held by Harry Brook, joking that perhaps she needed to spend more time in the gym to clear the ropes even more.
While the women’s contest delivered fireworks, the men’s eliminator between Northern Superchargers and Trent Rockets was a frustrating washout. Rain interruptions blighted the evening, forcing lengthy delays and eventually leading to the match being abandoned. The Rockets, who finished higher in the group stage, progressed automatically to face Oval Invincibles in the men’s final.
The contrasting fortunes of the two Northern Superchargers teams left one celebrating a record-shattering triumph and a chance at glory, while the other saw their hopes washed away by the London rain.
