FORTUNE FAVOURS BRILLIANT BRAVE

SOUTHERN BRAVE blew away Trent Rockets to cruise into today’s Hundred final.

The men’s Brave side coasted home in last night’s Eliminator and will play Birmingham Phoenix at Lord’s.

After bundling out the Rockets for 96, the Braves cruised home by seven wickets with 32 balls to spare. Man of the match George Garton, who took 3-18, said: “It’s a great feeling and nice to put in a performance in a big game. It was nice to put my hand up and put us in the final.

“Winning is a habit and we seem able to do that – now we are one game away.”

Paul Sterling (31) set the Braves on their way and captain James Vince’s unbeaten 45 saw them home with ease. Vince said: “It was our most complete performance.” Earlier last night, it was the turn of Oval Invincibles Women to progress to the final as Marizanne Kapp starred with bat and ball in the 20-run victory against Birmingham Phoenix.

Having been put in to bat, the Invincibles made what looked to be a below-par score of 114-7 with Kapp top-scoring with 37.

The Phoenix looked to be on course for the final but they collapsed to 94 all out in reply, with Kapp taking 3-21.