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Defending champions Oval Invincibles started their title defence with a superb nine-wicket win over Northern Superchargers in the Women's Hundred.

Chasing 144 to win, Lauren Winfield-Hill, who joined the Invincibles from the Superchargers this summer, shared 104 for the opening wicket with New Zealander Suzie Bates, who made 46.

Winfield-Hill finished unbeaten with 74 off 43 balls, while Alice Capsey, who was celebrating her 18th birthday, made 25 not out off eight balls as Invincibles won with 16 balls to spare.

Earlier Superchargers posted 143-5 with India's Jemimah Rodrigues making a 32-ball 51 and South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt 49 off 39 balls.

Here's what also happened:

• Australia's Alyssa Healy got the Superchargers innings off to an exciting start hitting a six from the second ball and was also dropped in the first set of five balls.
• England's Capsey suffered a knee injury while fielding and did go off the field for a period before returning.
• She hit four successive fours off Linsey Smith to wrap up the win.
• The delivery that removed Bates was just 38mph - a deliberate slower ball from former England all-rounder Jenny Gunn.

What's next?

Both teams are in action again on Sunday with Northern Superchargers hosting London Spirit (11:00 BST) while Oval Invincibles entertain Southern Brave (14:30).

The double headers continue on Friday with Southern Brave playing London Spirit (women at 15:00 and men at 18:30).

Oval Invincibles captain Dane van Niekerk, speaking to Sky Sports: "I couldn't have scripted it better myself.

"It was a bit frantic at the start with some of the debutants and the young ones. It can be a bit daunting, especially with the crowd and stuff. I was waving my hands a lot but they came through really well.

"It was such a clinical performance, we couldn't have asked for better."

On her own bowling: "I bowled really slow, I bowled a couple of pies there! I just hoped that it landed, that was all I was hoping for. Obviously I was really nervous but it was just good to be back."

On Alice Capsey: "I just told her, 'you make it look so easy.' She's a bit arrogant there! After that first shot I was almost going to run on and give her a tap on the helmet! But no, she made it look easy, that's the talent of her and you can see that she is full of confidence."

Image source, Getty Images

Oval Invincibles all-rounder Alice Capsey on ����tv Two: “I am ok. There is lots of strapping and ice tonight hopefully and then we’ll assess tomorrow but I’m sure it’ll be fine. It was my ankle. I just went over on it, I went one way and my ankle went the other way. I don’t think it even spun on me - I just went the wrong way! I just misjudged it. That is cricket.

“I absolutely love The Oval. I was trying to get the team in a good position going into the end and not leave it too late but I also didn’t want to run too many twos so that was the plan.

“The reverse sweep has started to become one of my better ones - I have practised it a lot. It is sort of becoming my go-to shot.

“It was amazing watching the opening partnership - they absolutely smashed it. What a start to their tournament and the way they went about it was incredible. They had us jumping out of our seats.

“The birthday cake is in the fridge and I think it will be eaten later!”

Jemimah Rodrigues to ����tv Sport: "I think the track was very good to bat on. With the kind of bowling we had they really batted well. We had a few catches that were dropped and that could have changed things.

"I really love The Hundred and I feel at home and getting back to the Northern Superchargers. I'm very comfortable here and that makes the difference because they know what I can do and I enjoy this.

"Today my family came all the way from India too. I just want to take it all in match by match."

Hero of the match Lauren Winfield-Hill, speaking on Sky Sports: "It was great fun. I think I had to work hard for my runs, obviously the Superchargers girls know me so well and closed down all of my strengths.

"I feel like I was making up shots that I haven't played for years as I went along. It was great fun batting with Suzie [Bates] and nice to get a first win on the board.

"It is a really strong batting line-up. I'm really lucky that I spread my wings and came down here to a new team and the staff and the girls have just been awesome.

"I've enjoyed it from day one, they've made me feel so welcome so I can just relax and play.

"For me, I just want to take the game on and in the powerplay it is about setting the tone for your team. I just want to maintain that boundary mindset throughout and have some fun while I'm out there."

Suzie Bates to ����tv Sport: "I struggled in the field as I couldn't hear a thing, the atmosphere was awesome. I just wanted to have some fun and build a partnership with Lauren and I'm really pleased to get a win.

"I was sitting up the watching the men's game and thinking 'this is the norm now, this is so cool'.

"We've been there when it has just been your mum, your dad and the dog and I just want to play as long as I can and make the most of moments like this."

Bibi Andreescu: Alice Capsey, wow. What a talent.

Dan O'Brien: Alice Capsey is such an absurd talent.

Sam: Alice Capsey: what a cameo... wow!

Graham Birkett: Watching The Hundred and what a talent Alice Capsey is and what a future she’s going have! Happy birthday, 18 today and tearing The Oval up!!! Good luck on a long, successful career.

Invincibles win by nine wicketspublished at 20:58 British Summer Time 11 August 2022

20:58 BST 11 August 2022

It is clear the Oval Invincibles are not going to relinquish their Hundred title easily.

Set a hefty 144 to win they reached their target with 16 balls remaining to seal a dominant nine-wicket victory.

Talk about laying down a marker!

Image source, PA Media

Invincibles 146-1published at 16 balls left

16 balls left

And she does finish big! Alice Capsey has just played another beautiful reverse sweep for four to seal a thumping victory for the Invincibles!

Heather Knight
England captain on ����tv Two

Capsey has got her eye on the prize. She is looking to finish big.

Has Alice Capsey got a birthday party to get to? Back-to-back boundaries means the Invincibles are just two runs away.

Image source, PA Media

Isa Guha
Former England bowler on ����tv Two

How about that! You're 18-years-old, it's your birthday and you're casually reverse-sweeping for four at The Oval.

Oh Alice Capsey stop it.

The 18-year-old has just played a reverse sweep that has raced away for four.

What a shot that was.

Lauren Winfield-Hill is in a hurry. She pumps the ball back over Jenny Gunn's head and the ball lands smack onto the boundary sponge for six.

Just 14 runs are needed now from 21 balls.

Bosh. Lauren Winfield-Hill clubs Alice Davidson-Richards straight down the ground for another four.

She has middled the ball so well this innings. She even has time to hold the pose after playing the shot. Superb.

The next ball is even cuter, playing a delicate late cut that slinters down fine for another boundary.

Mike: Alyssa Healy is making me like Australians. Please make it stop.