Manchester Super Giants started their women's Hundred campaign with a commanding seven-wicket win over London Spirit at Lord's on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
They chased down an 81-run target in just 59 balls after bowling out the hosts for 80 runs in 91 balls.
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Ryana MacDonald-Gay was named player of the match for her four wickets for 17 runs, supported by Sophie Ecclestone, Grace Ballinger, and Maitlan Brown.
"That was a mega start from our girls," said England spinner Ecclestone.
London Spirit struggled after being sent in to bat, losing openers Grace Harris for four and Amy Jones for a golden duck inside the first eight deliveries.
Only four Spirit batters reached double figures, with Marizanne Kapp top-scoring on 17.
"The pitch was doing a bit and we didn't really miss. It was spinning and then it was variable bounce," Ecclestone added.
MacDonald-Gay removed Marie Kelly, who top-edged to Paige Scholfield at cover, then combined with captain Meg Lanning to dismiss Kapp.
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She bowled Nadine de Klerk and forced Katie George to edge behind to wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, ending the lower-order resistance.
"We stuck to our plan and we nailed the basics and we did it really well," MacDonald-Gay said.
In the chase, openers Smriti Mandhana and Lanning put on 33 runs before Kapp trapped Mandhana leg-before-wicket for 17 off 14 balls.
Kapp bowled Grace Scrivens for a golden duck next ball, but Scholfield survived the hat-trick delivery.
Lanning fell for 21 off 24 balls, but Scholfield scored 22 off 15 balls and Ghosh remained unbeaten on 15 off five balls, including two sixes, to seal the win.
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The victory lifted Manchester Super Giants to the top of the table on net run-rate.
