The much-awaited 2025 season of The Hundred is all set to launch with a fiery London showdown as defending champions London Spirit take on arch-rivals Oval Invincibles at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. It’s not just a match, it’s a statement to kick off the tournament, packed with history, rivalry, and high-stakes cricket.
The Spirit walk in with the confidence of champions, having lifted their maiden title last season. With a strong mix of international flair and domestic consistency, they’ve got the momentum and mindset to repeat history. But if there’s one side that knows how to handle pressure on the big stage, it’s the Invincibles. Champions in 2021 and 2022, and still one of the most balanced units in the competition, they’re never far from the trophy conversation.
Squads:
London Spirit Women’s Cricket Team
Heather Knight, Grace Harris, Sarah Glenn, Danielle Gibson, Deepti Sharma, Charlie Dean, Eva Gray, Georgia Redmayne, Issy Wong, Cordelia Griffith, Tara Norris, Sophie Munro, Rebecca Tyson, Abi Norgrove, Kate Coppack
Oval Invincibles Women’s Cricket Team
Paige Scholfield, Marizanne Kapp, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Alice Capsey, Meg Lanning, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Tash Farrant, Phoebe Franklin, Sophia Smale, Kalea Moore, Jo Gardner, Rachel Slater, Daisy Gibb, Rebecca Odgers
Players to watch out:
Georgia Redmayne
At the top of the order, Georgia Redmayne has been a revelation. Calm, composed, and technically sharp, the Australian batter was named Player of the Match in the 2024 final for her clutch 34 off 32 balls, anchoring Spirit’s run chase with maturity. In just 10 innings last season, she amassed 229 runs with a personal best of 66*, a knock that epitomized her ability to stay unbeaten and finish games. Her glovework behind the stumps makes her a reliable dual-role player.
Sarah Glenn
The ever-reliable leg-spinner for London Spirit, Sarah continues to grow into one of the most dependable bowlers in the format. In the pressure-packed 2024 final against Welsh Fire, Glenn showcased nerves of steel, picking up 2/17 in her spell. Across 16 innings, she has scalped 24 wickets, including the best of 4/22. Glenn’s ability to control the tempo in the middle overs, mix up her lengths, and outthink batters has made her a key cog in Spirit’s title defense campaign.
Alice Capsey
Alice Capsey remains a bright spark in the Oval Invincibles lineup. The young all-rounder was one of the few to stand tall in the 2024 eliminator, scoring a steady 30 off 33 balls against London Spirit. With 602 runs in 30 innings, she’s proven herself as a consistent contributor with the bat, with the highest score of 59. But Capsey is more than just a batter, her off-spin has yielded 19 wickets, including a career-best spell of 3/15, making her a true match-winner on both fronts.
Marizanne Kapp
Marizanne Kapp, the South African powerhouse whose all-round brilliance is almost unmatched in the women’s game. In last season’s eliminator, she played a valiant hand with both bat and ball, scoring 26 runs off 26 deliveries and returning with 1/19 in a typically controlled spell. In The Hundred so far, she has collected 37 wickets with a jaw-dropping best of 4/9, while also scoring 630 runs, including the highest of 64*. Whether it’s swinging the new ball or finishing an innings with the bat, Kapp brings experience, balance, and fight.
Pitch:
The pitch at Lord’s is one of the most iconic and unique in world cricket, largely due to its distinct slope. This natural feature plays a crucial role in how the ball behaves, particularly for fast bowlers who can extract movement both off the pitch and through the air. However, as the game progresses, the surface generally flattens out, offering more consistent bounce and better batting conditions.
Weather:
It will be a pleasant day in London with temperatures hovering around 21°C, making for ideal playing conditions. With just 10% chance of precipitation and 47% humidity, the weather is set to stay partly cloudy, offering light breeze and a bit of movement for bowlers early on.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Sarah Glenn, Georgia Redmayne, Grace Harris, Marizanne Kapp, Alice Capsey, Meg Lanning, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Tash Farrant, Charlie Dean, Heather Knight, Issy Wong
Match Details:
Date – August 5, 2025
Time – 7:15 PM IST
Venue – Lord’s, London
Broadcast Details – The game will be live streamed on FanCode and telecasted on Sony Sports Network.
