Issy Wong, Rodrigues lead Southern Brave to second win


Southern Brave made it two from two after Jemimah Rodrigues' classy knock saw her side to a five-wicket victory over SunRisers Leeds at Headingley with four balls to spare. Having been set 117 for victory, Rodrigues judged the chase to perfection, making an unbeaten 42 from 34 deliveries and receiving valuable support from Australia captain Sophie Molineux, who made 21 from 17 balls. After Dani Gibson took the prize scalp of Laura Wolvaardt and Cassidy McCarthy (2 for 14) dismissed the dangerous opening pair of Lizelle Lee and Maia Bouchier, Brave appeared to be wobbling at 36 for 3, but Rodrigues and Molineux steadied the ship with a stand of 35 for the fourth wicket. Naomi Dattani hit the winning runs and continued Brave's strong start to the season after Molineux was defeated by Jess Jonassen thanks to a fine low catch from Deepti Sharma and Annabel Sutherland struck out Jodi Grewcock with a well-hidden slower ball. SunRisers' earlier total of 116 was based on Bryony Smith's 34-ball 48, in which the opener hit six fours and a six in an adventurous innings. Smith received useful support from Sutherland (22 from 19) before falling to the impressive England quick Issy Wong (3 for 15). That brought Deepti Sharma to the wicket, and the Indian allrounder's cameo of 23 from 14 balls helped SunRisers to a competitive score, though it ultimately proved in vain as her compatriot Rodrigues played the game's decisive knock. Rodrigues, the Meerkat Match Hero, said: "Our bowlers were outstanding under pressure. Although it wasn't my best outing, the team won, and that's all that matters. It was a good pitch, but some balls held up. I felt I wasn't timing it well but I just needed to be there and build partnerships. "One of the best things about this team is that it's calm. I'm confident we'll keep it the same."