The 2025 Women’s Hundred season kicks off with a highly anticipated London derby at the iconic Lord’s, featuring defending champions London Spirit Women against the formidable Oval Invincibles Women. The opening match, scheduled for August 5, is expected to set the tone for the entire tournament, with both teams eager to start their campaign with a victory.
London Spirit’s title defense under Heather Knight
The Spirit Women enter the tournament as the defending champions, having secured their maiden title last season. However, they face a significant challenge in their opening match, with captain Heather Knight ruled out due to injury. In her absence, the team will be led by the experienced spinner Charlie Dean.
The Spirit will rely on the firepower of key players like Australian all-rounder Grace Harris, who will be crucial for their batting, and English leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, who was the second-highest wicket-taker in the previous season. Other notable players include Georgia Redmayne, who was a key performer in their title-winning campaign, and fast bowler Issy Wong. The defending champions will be keen to show that their success was not a one-off and that they have the depth to compete for another title.
Oval Invincibles’ quest for a third title
The Oval Invincibles Women are one of the most successful teams in the history of The Hundred, having won the first two editions of the tournament. They enter the 2025 season as one of the favorites, and they will be particularly motivated to avenge their loss to London Spirit in last year’s Eliminator match. The Invincibles boast a star-studded squad with a powerful mix of international talent and dynamic young players.
Their core includes the all-round brilliance of Marizanne Kapp and Alice Capsey, the tactical nous of Australian star Meg Lanning, and the spin wizardry of Amanda-Jade Wellington. With other key players like Lauren Winfield-Hill and Paige Scholfield, the Oval Invincibles have a balanced and formidable side. A win against their London rivals would not only provide a great start to their campaign but also serve as a strong statement of intent in their pursuit of a third title.
LNS-W vs OVI-W Head-to-Head Record
Match Details: 07 | LNS won: 02 | OVI won: 03 | No results: 00 | Tied: 1
The Hundred Women’s 2025: Match 1
- Date and Time: August 5: 1:45 PM GMT/2:45 PM local/07:15 PM IST
- Venue: Lord’s, London
Lord’s Pitch Report:
Lord’s is renowned for creating balanced pitches that benefit both batters and bowlers. Early in the innings, the pitch favours batting, but it is expected to slow down as the match progresses. Fast bowlers are likely to find support with the new ball, while spinners can become more influential as the match progresses. However, the pitch’s exact characteristics will largely depend on the weather conditions on the match day.
LNS-W vs OVI-W Dream11 Prediction Picks:
- Wicketkeepers: Lauren Winfield-Hill, Georgia Redmayne
- Batters: Meg Lanning, Grace Harris, Paige Scholfield
- All-rounders: Marizanne Kapp, Charlie Dean, Alice Capsey
- Bowlers: Sarah Glenn, Tash Farrant, Ryana Macdonald
LNS-W vs OVI-W Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain:
- Choice 1: Marizanne Kapp (c), Grace Harris (vc)
- Choice 2: Meg Lanning (c), Sarah Glenn (vc)
LNS-W vs OVI-W Dream11 Prediction Backups:
Eva Gray, Cordelia Griffith, Jo Gardner, Rachel Slater
LNS-W vs OVI-W Dream11 Team for today’s match (August 5, 1:45 PM GMT):
Squads:
London Spirit Women: Grace Harris, Georgia Redmayne, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Charlie Dean, Eva Gray, Cordelia Griffith, Tara Norris, Sophie Munro, Heather Knight (captain), Issy Wong, Rebecca Tyson
Oval Invincibles Women: Marizanne Kapp, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Meg Lanning Alice Capsey (captain), Lauren Winfield-Hill, Tash Farrant, Ryana Macdonald-Gay, Sophia Smale, Jo Gardner, Rachel Slater, Paige Scholfield, Phoebe Franklin, Kalea Moore
Also READ: Amanda Wellington reveals why she prioritises franchise cricket over international duties
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.