Hartley-Jones spin duo, Lee help Originals register first victory in Hundred

Three-fers from Alexandra Hartley and Hannah Jones followed by blistering knocks from Lizelle Lee and Emma Lamb helped the Manchester Originals beat Southern Brave in a rain-interrupted game by 17 runs. This is the Originals' first win of the tournament and coincidentally, it was also Brave's first defeat.



Chasing their first win of the tournament, Emma Lamb and Lizelle Lee did not waste a single delivery to get the innings going. With the possibility of rain around, the duo decided to keep up with the DLS target from the first set. Lamb hit Lauren Bell for back-to-back boundaries - a square cut behind point and a scoop shot behind the wicket-keeper. She lofted Anya Shrubsole over mid-on in the next set.



With a strong breeze blowing across the ground, they capitalised with singles and doubles whenever possible. Together, they added 52 runs for the first wicket before Lamb was caught short at the non-striker's end by a direct hit from Shrubsole. Lee picked up from Lamb, sweeping Fi Morris to the square-leg boundary.



She thumped Charlotte Taylor down the ground for a massive six. When Bell came on, she cut her behind point for a boundary. With Mignon du Preez, she built a partnership, keeping up with the required run-rate. When they needed 27 runs from 37 balls, the play was interrupted due to rain, and the Originals were ahead of the DLS par score (80), with 97 for one in 70 balls. As the rain did not stop, the Originals eventually were announced winners by 17 runs. Lee finished with an unbeaten 43 from 32 balls.



Earlier, Kate Cross won the toss and opted to bowl. Natalie Brown came in for injured Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jones replaced Laura Jackson in the eleven. For the Brave, Charlotte was roped back in place of Tara Norris. Brave openers Smriti Mandhana and Danielle Wyatt went after the Originals from ball one.



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Wyatt smashed Sophie Ecclestone for a couple of boundaries, and Mandhana had her share of fun, launching Lamb over extra-cover. They raced 34 runs from 21 balls before Jones got rid of the dangerous Mandhana. Wyatt, too, fell shortly after to Jones, and the Brave were down to 56 for two from 42 balls.



Sophia Dunkley and Stafanie Taylor kept the momentum going, with the former being the aggressor in the partnership. When it seemed like the Brave were running away with the game, Hartley broke the partnership. She got rid of Dunkley for 28 runs from 25 balls.



After 75 balls, the Brave were going steady at 94 for three, but things went downhill from there. Hartley and Jones pinned down the Brave run-rate and picked up crucial wickets in the end. Stafanie played a fighting knock, scoring 27-ball 28 as Brave finished with 123 for seven. Jones and Hartley took three wickets each, giving away 19 and 29 runs, respectively.



Brief Scores: Southern Brave 123/7 in 100 balls (Sophia Dunkley 28, Hannah Jones 3/19) lost to Manchester Originals 97/1 (Lizelle Lee 43*) by 17 runs (DLS method)