If you needed any more proof that women’s cricket is absolutely must-watch television right now, look no further than what unfolded at The Oval in the latest edition of The Hundred. MI London and London Spirit served up a thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last delivery — and even then, nobody could separate the two sides.
That’s right, the first women’s London derby of this Hundred season ended in a tie. Not a close finish. Not a narrow win. An outright, dramatic, nail-biting tie decided on the final ball of the match. It’s the kind of ending that scriptwriters would be told is too unrealistic, yet here we are.
The atmosphere at The Oval was electric throughout, with two rival city sides giving absolutely everything they had on the pitch. Both teams had their moments of brilliance — whether it was top-order batting laying a solid foundation or bowlers clawing back momentum when it seemed like the game was slipping away. Neither side was willing to blink first, and the tension built with every single ball bowled in those final moments.
Going into the last delivery, the match was perfectly poised. The pressure of that situation is something most of us could barely imagine — knowing that every single person in the ground, and thousands more watching at home, has their eyes locked on that one moment. The result? Neither team could find a way to win it. Pure sporting drama at its finest.
What makes this even more exciting is the statement it makes about the quality and competitiveness of women’s cricket in The Hundred. The tournament has done a remarkable job of showcasing incredible talent and creating genuine rivalries, and a London derby ending in a tie is exactly the kind of story that grows a fan base and keeps audiences coming back for more.
For both MI London and London Spirit, the tie will feel like a win in spirit but a missed opportunity in points. As the season continues, every single run and every single ball is going to matter — and after a finish like this, you can bet neither side will be taking anything for granted going forward. Women’s cricket is thriving, and days like this are exactly why.
