The Oval Invincibles posted a record total of 226/4, powered by Jordan Cox’s explosive 86 off 29 balls*. Meanwhile, Sonny Baker of Manchester Originals took a hat-trick and moved to fifth on the tournament’s wicket-taker list. Veterans Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow remain among the top run-scorers.
In another fixture, men’s Oval Invincibles secured a seven-wicket win over Southern Brave, with Jordan Cox again shining with an unbeaten 56.
Women’s Highlights:
Southern Brave maintained their unbeaten start (5-0) with a dominant 89-run win over Oval Invincibles—propelled by Sophie Devine’s match-defining all-round display.The TimesWomen Cricket.
Earlier, Northern Superchargers climbed to the top of the women’s table after a commanding 8-wicket win over Birmingham Phoenix, relying on Phoebe Litchfield’s unbeaten fifty.
Attendance has soared, notably at the Oval and Old Trafford; England coach Charlotte Edwards emphasized that The Hundred’s performances will influence World Cup selections, spotlighting emerging talents like Davina Perrin and Kira Chathli.
Unfortunately, injuries struck both tournaments:
Trent Rockets’ Adam Hose suffered a dislocated ankle and is ruled out for 6–12 weeks, prompting match suspension and medical attention.
On the men’s side, Tom Alsop (also from Trent Rockets) sustained an injury that ruled him out of further participation.
Behind the scenes, discussions are underway about the future of the format. A recent report suggests The Hundred might be scrapped in favor of a traditional T20 model as early as next year, with decisions expected during an October board meeting.
The tournament continues through 5–31 August 2025, featuring eight men’s and eight women’s teams in a format combining league stages with an eliminator and final.
International Cricket Highlights
Australia vs South Africa – ODI Series:
In the 1st ODI at Cairns, South Africa posted a strong foundation with Aiden Markram (82) anchoring their innings. ODI debuts were awarded to Dewald Brevis and Prenelan Subrayen.
However, Kagiso Rabada suffered an ankle injury and was ruled out ahead of the match. He remains in Australia for rehabilitation, with Kwena Maphaka added to the squad.
Pre-match buzz included a fun moment as Temba Bavuma and Mitchell Marsh posed Bollywood-style (à la Shah Rukh Khan), delighting fans.
Other Key Developments:
South Africa clinched their maiden ICC trophy by winning the 2025 World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s (11–14 June). The historic five-wicket triumph ended their 27-year wait and reaffirmed their elite status in Test cricket.
The Asia Cup 2025 squad discussions are heating up. Former India player Aakash Chopra stressed that selection must be strictly performance-based, even arguing leadership roles don’t guarantee inclusion.
Tragedy in Bengaluru has impacted the Women’s World Cup schedule. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been deemed unsafe, and Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield Stadium is being considered as its replacement for matches between 30 September and 2 November. ICC confirmation is pending.
On a structural note, the ICC is exploring a two-division format for the next World Test Championship (2027–2029), potentially grouping the “big three” with South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka in Division One. Recommendations are expected by the end of 2025.
In the World Championship of Legends (WCL), the Pakistan Cricket Board has issued a blanket ban prohibiting any future participation by Pakistani players.
Summary
The Hundred continues to captivate with explosive performances, crowd surges, and looming format debates.
International cricket sees dynamic ODI action, historic wins (WTC final victory by South Africa), strategic tournament planning, and impactful infrastructure shifts ahead of major championships.
