LONDON — In a breathtaking display of power-hitting and youthful audacity, 17-year-old Davina Perrin smashed a record-breaking century to propel the Northern Superchargers into the final of The Hundred women's competition with a commanding 42-run victory over the London Spirit in the Eliminator at a packed Oval.
Perrin's stunning innings of 101 runs from just 50 balls, the highest individual score in the history of The Hundred women's tournament, was the cornerstone of the Superchargers' imposing total of 160 for 4. The Spirit, in reply, were never truly in the chase, bowled out for 118 with five balls remaining, setting up a final showdown with the Southern Brave at Lord's.
A Star is Born: Perrin's Record-Breaking Innings
From the moment she walked to the crease, Davina Perrin played with a fearlessness that belied her age and the high-pressure occasion. The right-hander took charge after the early dismissal of her opening partner, Marie Kelly, and proceeded to dismantle the Spirit bowling attack with a combination of clean striking and clever placement. Her innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, featuring:
- 10 fours and 6 sixes, peppering all parts of the ground.
- A particular assault on England international spinner Charlie Dean, whom she hit for three consecutive boundaries.
- The record-breaking moment, a single off Tara Norris to bring up her hundred from 49 deliveries.
Perrin's partnership of 119 with South African star Laura Wolvaardt (51 from 40 balls) was the bedrock of the innings, with the experienced Wolvaardt playing the perfect foil, rotating the strike and allowing the teenager to dominate. Perrin's knock eclipsed the previous record of 90* set by Jemimah Rodrigues in 2021.
Speaking after receiving her Player of the Match award, an elated Perrin struggled to comprehend her achievement: "I'm lost for words, to be honest. I just went out there and tried to play my game. To get a hundred in a game like this is unbelievable. I just tried to hit the ball hard and it came off today. The crowd was amazing and it just pushed me on."
Superchargers' Bowling Seals the Deal
Defending 160, the Northern Superchargers' bowling unit was clinical from the outset. The pressure of the chase told immediately as Spirit's key batter, England captain Heather Knight, was dismissed for just 2 in the first set of five balls, caught behind off the bowling of Georgia Wareham.
The Spirit's innings never found any momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. Only Richa Ghosh (24 from 19) and Amelia Kerr (23 from 18) offered any significant resistance, but both fell trying to force the pace against a disciplined attack. The Superchargers' bowlers executed their plans perfectly:
- Pacer Grace Ballinger (2/19) provided early breakthroughs.
- Spinner Linsey Smith (3/21) was economical and destructive in the middle phase.
- Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham (2/24) provided crucial wickets, including that of Knight.
The fielding was equally sharp, with two run-outs compounding the Spirit's misery. The final wicket fell with just five balls remaining in the match, sealing a comprehensive and deserved victory for the team from the North.
Road to the Final: A Clash with the Brave
This victory sets up a tantalizing final against the Southern Brave at the Home of Cricket, Lord's, on Sunday. The Brave, who finished top of the table, earned direct entry to the final and will be well-rested. They also boast a formidable record, having beaten the Superchargers in both of their group-stage encounters this season.
The Superchargers, however, will be riding an enormous wave of confidence. Perrin's historic innings has not only won them a final berth but has announced their arrival as a serious threat. Captain Hollie Armitage acknowledged the challenge ahead but backed her team's momentum: "What a performance from the girls. Davy was just incredible. We've got one more game to go now and we'll give it everything. The Brave are a fantastic side, but we're peaking at the right time."
The final promises to be a classic contest between the table-topping consistency of the Brave, led by Smriti Mandhana and Lauren Bell, and the explosive, momentum-driven charge of the Superchargers, with the record-breaking Perrin and the calm authority of Wolvaardt.
A Landmark Moment for the Tournament
Beyond securing a place in the final, Perrin's innings represents a landmark moment for The Hundred. It showcased the very essence of the competition: high-octane, record-breaking cricket that provides a platform for young talent to shine on the biggest stage.
At just 17 years and 217 days, Perrin became the youngest centurion in the history of The Hundred, men's or women's, demonstrating the bright future of English cricket. Her innings captured the imagination of the crowd and sent a powerful message about the depth of talent emerging in the women's game.
London Spirit captain Heather Knight was gracious in defeat, paying tribute to the young star: "Full credit to the Superchargers, and particularly Davina. That was one of the best innings I've seen in this competition. She took the game away from us. We weren't at our best, but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up."
The stage is now set for a grand finale at Lord's. The Northern Superchargers, powered by a historic performance from a teenage prodigy, will look to complete their remarkable run by dethroning the Southern Brave and claiming the championship title.