The Women’s Hundred returns to the south coast on August 18 2025 when Southern Brave Women welcome Oval Invincibles Women to the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. The daytime clash will get underway at 15:00 BST (19:30 IST) and promises a high‑octane contest between two sides that have contested finals and titles since the tournament’s inception. Brave have built a passionate fan base in Southampton and will be eager to continue their charge for a top‑three finish, while the Invincibles arrive with championship pedigree and a fearsome bowling attack. Fans tuning in from India should set their alarms for the early evening as a blockbuster women’s Hundred fixture unfolds.
Form Guide
Southern Brave Women
The Brave women have established themselves as one of the tournament’s most consistent sides over the past two editions, finishing runner‑up in 2023 and lifting the trophy in 2024. They began the 2025 campaign brightly with back‑to‑back wins over Welsh Fire and London Spirit, showcasing the depth of their batting line‑up and the accuracy of their seam attack. However, recent matches have exposed a few cracks, with narrow defeats to Northern Superchargers and Trent Rockets leaving them mid‑table. Captain Anya Shrubsole has urged her side to rediscover the ruthless streak that saw them dominate last year.
- Two wins and two losses from their opening four games; strong starts but late‑innings batting collapses have cost them.
- Batting anchored by openers Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt, while Maia Bouchier and Freya Kemp provide middle‑order firepower.
- Seam attack led by Lauren Bell and Anya Shrubsole has been miserly, but spin options need to tighten up after conceding big overs in recent losses.
Oval Invincibles Women
The Invincibles have been the benchmark of the Women’s Hundred, lifting the trophy in the first two seasons and narrowly missing out on a finals berth last year. Their 2025 campaign started slowly with a surprise defeat to Birmingham Phoenix, but they rebounded with convincing victories over Trent Rockets and Welsh Fire. A rain‑affected no‑result against Manchester Originals leaves them just behind the top three, and captain Dane van Niekerk knows points are vital with the table so congested.
- Unbeaten in their last three completed matches, riding momentum from a disciplined bowling attack and explosive batting.
- Top order spearheaded by Alice Capsey and Marizanne Kapp, with Lauren Winfield‑Hill adding stability at number three.
- Bowling unit boasts variety: Kapp’s swing, Shabnim Ismail’s pace, and spin twins Sarah Bryce and Sophia Smale stifling run‑rates.
Key Players
Southern Brave Women
- Smriti Mandhana – The Indian left‑hander is the tournament’s leading run‑scorer for the Brave with over 180 runs this season. Her ability to pierce gaps and accelerate in the powerplay sets the tone for their innings.
- Maia Bouchier – The elegant right‑hander has provided crucial middle‑order runs, including a 42‑ball 60 against London Spirit. If she fires, Brave can post a daunting total.
- Lauren Bell – The tall seamer has been deadly with the new ball, swinging it both ways and picking up wickets in the powerplay. Her duel with Capsey and Kapp could decide the match.
Oval Invincibles Women
- Alice Capsey – A prodigious talent who combines power and placement, Capsey’s 74* against Trent Rockets underlined her match‑winning ability. She also bowls useful off‑spin, making her a valuable all‑rounder.
- Marizanne Kapp – The South African star is the heartbeat of the Invincibles. With both bat and ball she influences games, and her swing bowling will be critical on a helpful Utilita Bowl surface.
- Shabnim Ismail – One of the world’s fastest bowlers, Ismail’s hostility and yorkers in the death overs have strangled opposition line‑ups. Brave’s lower order must be ready for her pace.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The Utilita Bowl pitch tends to start on the slower side with some seam and spin movement before flattening out. In The Hundred, average first‑innings scores here are around 145–150, and sides chasing have enjoyed more success. Spinners often come into the game as the ball grips on the used surfaces, so both captains might consider an extra slow bowler. Pace bowlers who hit the deck hard can extract bounce, but timing the run chase is crucial.
August weather in Southampton is typically mild and pleasant. Average temperatures hover around 17 °C with daytime highs touching 22 °C and lows near 13 °C, and there are about seven hours of sunshine. Rain showers are brief but can cause stoppages, so the team batting second must keep an eye on the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern calculations.
Southern Brave Women v Oval Invincibles Women – Prediction
These sides have produced some of the most memorable matches in the Women’s Hundred, and this encounter should be no different. Southern Brave will draw strength from playing in front of their home crowd and boast a top order that can dominate if Mandhana and Wyatt click. However, the Invincibles’ balanced attack and deeper batting line‑up give them a slight edge. Expect a tight tussle, but the visitors’ experience in pressure moments may just see them over the line.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
- Smriti Mandhana – Her consistency at the top and ability to bat through the innings makes her an ideal captaincy option for fantasy teams.
- Alice Capsey – Capable of contributing with both bat and ball, Capsey offers dual points potential and is crucial to the Invincibles’ fortunes.
- Marizanne Kapp – As an all‑rounder who bowls key overs and bats in the top five, Kapp provides wicket‑taking threat and late‑innings hitting power.
Fans at the Utilita Bowl and those watching around the world can expect a captivating contest between two talented squads. With playoff positions on the line and star players on show, Southern Brave Women v Oval Invincibles Women looks set to be one of the highlights of this year’s Hundred.
