Richa Ghosh smashed 54 off 34 balls for Manchester Super Giants Women to set Southern Brave a target of 140 in The Hundred at Southampton on 8 August 2026 (BBC Sport).

Manchester Super Giants won the toss and opted to bat first in the 26th match of The Hundred Women's Competition 2026, a 14:30 start at Southampton (BBC Sport scorecard). Ghosh, listed as wicketkeeper-batter, walked in as one of the side's overseas signings and provided the innings that gave the Super Giants something to bowl at.

The Hundred, for the uninitiated, is cricket's 100-ball-per-side format — each team faces 100 deliveries rather than the traditional overs, and every ball counts. A target of 140 in this format asks the chasing side to score at well over a run per ball, which keeps the pressure on from the first delivery.

Ghosh's half-century was the backbone of the Super Giants' total. She reached 54 from 34 balls, striking at a rate of 158.8 — meaning she scored nearly 1.6 runs for every delivery she faced. In a format where momentum shifts quickly, that tempo gave the innings its spine. The BBC published video of the knock on 8 August (BBC Sport), highlighting just how central the 21-year-old's contribution was to the Super Giants' competitive total.

For fans tracking the overseas-player market, Ghosh joined Manchester Super Giants for a fee of £50,000 ahead of the 2026 season (The Hundred). Wicketkeeper-batters who can score quickly are among the most sought-after signings in franchise cricket, because they fill two roles in one squad slot. Ghosh has built a reputation in exactly that mould — sharp behind the stumps, destructive in front of them.

Southern Brave, one of the competition's stronger sides, now face a chase that demands immediate intent. The required rate from ball one will be 1.40 runs per delivery — manageable on paper, but The Hundred rewards bowlers who can take early wickets and squeeze the scoring window. How Brave handle the first 30 balls of their reply will likely shape the outcome.

The match at Southampton adds another chapter to a 2026 women's competition that has drawn growing crowds and broadcast attention. With the BBC carrying video highlights on the day of play, the visibility of the women's game continues to sit front and centre.