Twitter Reactions: Lizelle Lee, bowlers halt Manchester Originals’ losing streak

Manchester Originals lost their first four matches in the inaugural Women’s Hundred and were languishing at the bottom of the points table. However, on Thursday, August 5, the Kate Cross-led team beat the in-form Southern Brave by 17 runs- DLS Method- at the Old Trafford in Manchester. It also happened to the Brave’s maiden loss in the tournament after four thumping victories.

Jones and Hartley deliver

After being put in to bat first, the Brave made an impressive start, thanks to a 34-run stand for the opening wicket between Danielle Wyatt and Smriti Mandhana. Hannah Jones gave the Originals’ their maiden breakthrough, getting rid of Mandhana, who scored 19. Jones also picked up the crucial wicket of Wyatt, who was looking ominous, having notched 24 runs off 20 balls with four fours.

Sophia Dunkley and Sarah Taylor got the innings going as they stitched together a partnership of 36 runs for the third wicket. Once Alex Hartley got rid of Dunkley for 28, the Brave’s innings lost a bit of momentum. Taylor stayed unbeaten on 28, but only at a strike rate of 103.70. For the Originals’, Jones and Hartley were the most successful with three wickets each, conceding only 40 runs.

Lee and Lamb guide the Originals

In the run-chase, the Originals looked positive right from the word go. Lizelle Lee and Emma Lamb played their shots from the outset and put their teams in the drivers’ seat. Lamb set the tone for the innings as he played the orthodox and the innovative shots. The duo of Lee and Lamb put on 52 runs for the opening wicket off 38 balls before Shrubsole ran Lamb out in the 38th ball of the innings.

Lamb went on to score 32 runs off 23 balls with five fours. After her dismissal, Lee made sure of keeping the Originals within the Duckworth Lewis par score. She stayed unbeaten on a 32-ball 43 with four fours and one six. Mignon du Preez also hit one six off Amanda Jade Wellington to stay not out on a run-a-ball 15. The rain ended the game when the Originals were on 97 off 70 balls.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Manchester Originals’ win at Old Trafford:

Deserving Player of the Match for Lizelle Lee:

43* Runs
32 Balls
4*4s
1*6s
SR:134.37#Hundred2021 #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/x0Z5j6KjQN

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) August 5, 2021

Have we just witnessed the first upset of #TheHundred? Bottom of the table Manchester Originals beat the table toppers Southern Brave. Is the tide turning for the Originals? 👀

— Silencio (@Silencio2501) August 5, 2021

Southern Brave lost their 1st match of the tournament today after 4 Consecutive Wins.#TheHundred #TheHundred2021

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) August 5, 2021

#TheHundred Right. So it’s official that Originals have got the first win and the team immediately moves above the Phoenix. 3 points in 5 games and they have very little chance for the playoffs but could play a spoilsport to other’s chances

— Bala Yogesh (@Yo_Bala) August 5, 2021

Dunkley has a very Ben Stokes thing going on in the field.

Lightning across the ground & takes some worldies. Does seem to drop her fair share but I sometimes wonder if other players would have even made it to the ball.#TheHundred

— Neil Virani (@NeilVirani) August 5, 2021

Yes i do love cricket but one thing i have never really wrapped my head around is DLS! 😹 #TheHundred

— Adrian Kivumbi. (@JustAdree) August 5, 2021

Lizelle Lee and Dane van Niekerk are having a tournament to remember! #TheHundred #SouthAfrica #England #Cricket #ManchesterOriginals #SouthernBrave #IndvsEng #EngvsInd #WomensCricket

— Broken Cricket Dreams Blog (@cricket_broken) August 5, 2021

Superb start from Manchester originals….All thanks to @EmmaLamb236 what an 🌟 getting her due now
Running between the wks has been excellent 👏🙌 #TheHundred

— Ashwini B S (@imashu023) August 5, 2021

First win of my Team . The ORIGINALS Won today. Well played Cate cross and team. Love the celebrations of Alex Hartley 😅 . Onto the next one 👊🏻👊🏻 #TheHundred

— Pranali (@Pranali28956195) August 5, 2021

Southern Brave girls, let's go home to the Ageas Bowl on Saturday and bounce back in style🖤💚 This defeat provides an opportunity to tick all the boxes for the next Match. Northern Superchargers, here we come. #TheHundred

— Niranjana (@niramen26) August 5, 2021

Congratulations, Manchester Originals! 🐝

A first win on the board in @thehundred on home soil @EmiratesOT! 🙌

Fingers crossed for the weather this evening for Game 2! 🙏🤞#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/eIWP5yuz84

— Emirates Old Trafford (@EmiratesOT) August 5, 2021