SOUTHAMPTON — In a nail-biting finish at The Rose Bowl, Southern Brave's tailenders pulled off a miraculous one-wicket victory against Manchester Originals in The Hundred, sending the home crowd into raptures with a last-over thriller.
The match, played under lights in front of a packed stadium, saw Brave's lower-order batters defy the odds after a top-order collapse left them reeling at 98 for 7. Needing 23 off the final 10 balls, the unlikely heroes—Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills—combined for a stunning late assault to seal the win with just two deliveries to spare.
A Rollercoaster Chase
Chasing 145 for victory, Southern Brave's innings began shakily as Manchester Originals' pace duo of Josh Little and Paul Walter ripped through the top order. At one stage, Brave were 45 for 4, with key batters James Vince and Leus du Plooy back in the dugout. "We thought we had it in the bag," admitted Originals captain Jos Buttler post-match.
However, a gritty 38 from George Garton kept Brave in the hunt before he fell to a stunning catch by Tom Hartley. With 47 needed off 25 balls, the game seemed all but over—until Jordan and Mills turned the tide:
- Jordan smashed 22 off just 9 balls, including two sixes off Little
- Mills held his nerve, scoring the winning run with a sliced boundary
- The pair added 31 runs in 12 deliveries for the ninth wicket
Originals' Missed Opportunities
Manchester Originals will rue several key moments that could have sealed the game earlier. A dropped catch by Walter when Jordan was on 5 proved costly, while Buttler's decision to hold back spinner Hartley for the final set of five backfired spectacularly.
"We lost it in the field," conceded Originals coach Simon Katich. "At this level, you can't afford those lapses against players of Jordan's caliber."
Turning Point: The 95th Ball
The match swung decisively in Brave's favor on the penultimate delivery of the 19th set (95th ball overall), when Jordan launched Little over long-on for six. The shot brought the equation down to 4 needed off 5 balls, shifting all momentum to the home side.
Post-Match Reactions
A jubilant Jordan, named Player of the Match, told broadcasters: "I back myself in those situations. The coach just told me to swing hard and see what happens—luckily it came off today."
Brave captain James Vince praised his team's resilience: "This is why we love The Hundred. Games like this show the importance of every player contributing, right down to number 11."
Standings Implications
The victory moves Southern Brave to second in the table, while Manchester Originals slip to fourth. With just three group games remaining for each team, the playoff race is heating up dramatically.
Key takeaways from the match:
- Brave's tailenders have now contributed 78 runs in their last three matches
- Originals' death bowling remains a concern, conceding 45+ in final 10 balls twice this season
- The Hundred continues to deliver last-over thrillers, with 40% of matches decided in the final set
Looking Ahead
Both teams face crucial fixtures next week. Southern Brave take on table-toppers Oval Invincibles, while Manchester Originals host Birmingham Phoenix in what could be a must-win encounter.
As the tournament enters its business end, this match will be remembered as a classic example of The Hundred's fast-paced drama. "Cricket's shortest format just produced one of its greatest finishes," tweeted former England captain Michael Vaughan.