The Cricketer looks at the main talking points from the Women's Hundred clash between Oval Invincibles and London Spirit at the Kia Oval
Meg Lanning is the Women's Hundred top run-scorer this season and has been a revelation despite a disappointing campaign for Oval Invincibles.
She made the switch from London Spirit, the opponents in her team's final game of The Hundred this season, in the off-season and has thrived under her Women's Premier League and Big Bash head coach, Jonathan Batty.
It made her the vital wicket for Spirit as they sought to take a step towards qualification with a win at the Kia Oval.
She opened the face to score a four off Issy Wong on her first delivery, but was dropped by fellow Australian Georgia Redmayne behind the stumps on just five.
Fortunately, it was not too costly for the reigning champions as Spirit captain Charlie Dean took a sharp caught and bowled to get Lanning on 19 off 20 balls.
The wicket helped to slow the home side's progress and keep them down to 108 for 8 off their 100 balls.
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Meg Lanning could not repeat her heroics against Spirit (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
With just 109 runs on the board, Marizanne Kapp became vitally important as early wickets was the only scope for an Oval Invincibles win.
She is her team's highest wicket-taker in the competition with nine wickets, and therefore, the moment of the day would hinge on how London Spirit negotiated her spell, especially with the new ball.
Well, not only did the visitors avoid losing a wicket, they went hard at the South African and broke the back of the chase very early.
Kira Chathli, back on her domestic home ground, was the main contributor as Kapp went for 25 runs off her first 10 balls.
Rather peculiarly, Lauren Winfield-Hill handed Alice Capsey the first five balls rather than her strike bowler, but neither would have made much of a difference as Spirit cruised home by eight wickets.
Charlie Dean was spectacularly good in the field for Spirit (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
London Spirit's title defence could have been derailed before The Hundred even started when their captain, Heather Knight, suffered a season-ending hamstring injury.
In her place, Spirit put off-spinning allrounder Dean in charge of the side and she has taken to the extra responsibility.
The very best of her leadership and immense skill was on show in the field during her team's game at the Kia Oval against Oval Invincibles.
She took two wickets, which could have been three had her final ball dismissal not been overturned on review, took a stunning one-handed catch and produced the throw to get a run out for her team.
The catch was especially important as she ended Marizanne Kapp's dangerous innings on 32 and it was a spectacular bit of work with England's fielding still under the microscope after mixed performances in recent times.
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