The Hundred: SunRisers Leeds thump MI London in first women's match of season - but sweating on fitness of Kate Cross
SunRisers Leeds' Kate Cross picks up shoulder injury during side's seven-wicket win over MI London at The Kia Oval; Phoebe Litchfield top-scores for SunRisers after being involved in dreadful run out; SunRisers won The Hundred last season under Northern Superchargers moniker
Wednesday 22 July 2026 10:45, UK
SunRisers Leeds Women kicked off a new era for The Hundred with a seven-wicket win over MI London as two teams who have undergone name changes following heavy overseas investment met at The Kia Oval.
Sunrisers, who won the title last year under their Northern Superchargers moniker, limited MI London, formerly known as Oval Invincibles, to 107-8 once they snapped an opening stand of 56 between Hayley Matthews (33) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (29).
The visitors then eased to their target with 31 balls to spare as Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield (43 off 26 balls) bounced back from running out her countrywoman Jess Jonassen (14) after attempting a single that was never on.
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Another Aussie, Annabel Sutherland, contributed 30 not off 23 deliveries for Sunrisers, while skipper Dani Gibson (12no off 7) spanked the winning boundary.
The one sour note for SunRisers was the shoulder injury suffered by Kate Cross, shortly after she had taken an excellent running catch at long-on to dismiss Wyatt-Hodge.
Cross landed awkwardly fielding at extra-cover and walked off in pain - she has not dislocated her shoulder but will undergo scans.
Gibson (2-17) - the most expensive English player in the Hundred auction earlier this year as SunRisers forked out £190k for her - chipped in with two wickets, including that of Australia's Nicola Carey (5), bowled by a cross-seamer.
England stalwart Wyatt-Hodge, West Indies skipper Matthews and New Zealand captain Melie Kerr (13) all fell to spin.
Deepti Sharma (2-20) accounted for Wyatt-Hodge and Matthews - the latter was out to a sharp caught-and-bowled by the India all-rounder - while young English leg-spinner Hannah Baker removed Kerr during her impressive 2-16.
'Litchfield looks like best player in the world'
Sky Sports Cricket's Stuart Broad on Phoebe Litchfield:
"She looks the best player in the world to me - she has everything covered.
"She can hit the ball anywhere, has so much time, opens up the off-side and drives the ball beautifully.
"In addition, she uses her feet when the wicketkeeper is up. She might move a bit too much at times but she has incredible talent.
"The sound off the bat is just different - it is when top-level players hit the ball - and she can score 360."
What's next?
Wednesday's Hundred double-header comes from the Utilita Bowl in Southampton as Southern Brave take on Welsh Fire.
The women's game starts at 2.45pm, with the men's match under way from 6.30pm. Catch both fixtures live on Sky Sports.
