History created at The Hundred: Oval Invincibles vs Manchester Originals becomes most-watched Women's game in UK

It was a historic moment for Women’s cricket in the United Kingdom when the match between the Women’s sides of Ova Invincibles and Manchester Originals became the most-watched game in the history of Women’s cricket in the United Kingdom. 

According to statistics compiled by Wisden, “Across all platforms, the game received a peak audience of 1.95 million viewers, with 3.8 million viewers in total, a record for a women's cricket match in the UK, beating the 1.24 million peak audience for the third England-India T20I, eight days ago.” 

While on BBC, one of the two broadcasters of the league alongside Sky Cricket, there were 1.6 million viewers hooked to their screen for the match, making it the most viewed Women’s game on the platofrm. 

While Manchester Originals Women lost the game by five wickets with two balls remaining, they dominated for the most part of it until the last 10 balls when Player of the Match and Invincibles skipper Dane van Niekerk and Mady Villiers took Sophie Ecclestone for 10 runs in her five balls. 

With just six required from the last five balls to reach the target of 136, Originals skipper Kate Cross was edged for a four and then the formalities were completed with two balls remaining. 

However, even after the loss, Cross was ecstatic for being part of the history. "What a night! I don't think we could have asked for a better opening game. I am disappointed not to win but I said to the girls beforehand that we are making history. The result was irrelevant,” said the 29-year-old Originals skipper. 

"We didn't know what to expect from the crowd but I have never played in front of a crowd like that in international cricket, in the Big Bash, or anywhere. Hats off to the ECB for creating this,” the England international added thanking the 7400strong crowd p[resent at the Kennington Oval in London. 

After the Women’s game, the Men’s competition will begin Thursday night when Oval Invincibles will take on the Originals at the same venue as their women’s sides.