The Hundred playoff scenarios: Five sides still in contention for women's eliminator; three teams eye men's final
Brave women have already sealed their place in the final. At the other end of the spectrum, Originals and Fire are out in both competitions
Sampath Bandarupalli
15-Aug-2021
Oval Invincibles women's net run rate could help them if there's a three-way tie on nine points • Getty Images
The last round of games in the league stage of the inaugural edition of the Hundred is about to kick off, and so far only one team each from the men's and women's competitions are guaranteed a top-three finish. As per tournament rules, the team that tops the league-stage table gets direct entry into the final, while teams No. 2 and 3 play an eliminator ahead of the title bout.
While Birmingham Phoenix men have secured a place in the playoffs, Southern Brave women went a step further with direct qualification to the final by winning six games.
Manchester Originals and Welsh Fire stand no chance to finish in the top three in men's and women's competitions. London Spirit men are also officially out of the race, but an outside chance does exist for Spirit women - although they would need a miracle.
Phoenix, Southern Brave and Oval Invincibles will fight out for a direct place in the final of the men's tournament while Trent Rockets and Northern Superchargers will be looking to finish in the top three and play the eliminator. Five teams still have the chance to qualify for the eliminator in the women's competition.
Men's tournament
Birmingham Phoenix men - Wins 5, Points 10
Last match against: Northern Superchargers men
Birmingham Phoenix are the only side in the men's competition to have already confirmed a place in the playoffs and will now play for direct qualification for the final. If they win against Northern Superchargers, they will finish as table-toppers with six wins.
Last match against: Northern Superchargers men
Birmingham Phoenix are the only side in the men's competition to have already confirmed a place in the playoffs and will now play for direct qualification for the final. If they win against Northern Superchargers, they will finish as table-toppers with six wins.
Southern Brave men - Wins 4, Points 9
Last match against: Oval Invincibles men
Southern Brave have a chance to top the table and directly qualify for the final. A win versus Oval Invincibles would help Brave secure a top-three finish, and a loss for Birmingham Phoenix on Tuesday will make sure Brave climb to the top. However, a loss against Invincibles will knock them out of the top three if Northern Superchargers get the better of Phoenix.
Last match against: Oval Invincibles men
Southern Brave have a chance to top the table and directly qualify for the final. A win versus Oval Invincibles would help Brave secure a top-three finish, and a loss for Birmingham Phoenix on Tuesday will make sure Brave climb to the top. However, a loss against Invincibles will knock them out of the top three if Northern Superchargers get the better of Phoenix.
Oval Invincibles men - Wins 4, Points 9
Last match against: Southern Brave men
Oval Invincibles are currently at No. 2 and are a little ahead of Southern Brave on net run rate. However, their scenario is similar to that of Brave. A win for Invincibles on Monday will ensure a top-three finish and they will find themselves in the final directly if Phoenix lose to Superchargers.
Last match against: Southern Brave men
Oval Invincibles are currently at No. 2 and are a little ahead of Southern Brave on net run rate. However, their scenario is similar to that of Brave. A win for Invincibles on Monday will ensure a top-three finish and they will find themselves in the final directly if Phoenix lose to Superchargers.
Trent Rockets men - Wins 4, Points 8
Last match against: Manchester Originals men
Rockets needed to finish the league phase with successive wins to qualify directly for the final. Their hard-fought defeat against Phoenix on Friday means they have to win against Manchester Originals on Sunday - a loss will put them out of contention - to ensure they get a chance at the eliminator on Friday.
Last match against: Manchester Originals men
Rockets needed to finish the league phase with successive wins to qualify directly for the final. Their hard-fought defeat against Phoenix on Friday means they have to win against Manchester Originals on Sunday - a loss will put them out of contention - to ensure they get a chance at the eliminator on Friday.
Northern Superchargers men - Wins 3, Points 7
Last match against: Birmingham Phoenix men
Ahead of the final round, Superchargers have the best net run rate in the men's competition. This is a key factor in their chances of finishing in the top three. However, they will be rooting for Originals against Rockets before they face Phoenix.
Last match against: Birmingham Phoenix men
Ahead of the final round, Superchargers have the best net run rate in the men's competition. This is a key factor in their chances of finishing in the top three. However, they will be rooting for Originals against Rockets before they face Phoenix.
Women's tournament
Oval Invincibles women - Wins 4, Points 9
Last match against: Southern Brave women
Oval Invincibles moved to second on the table with two wins in their last two completed matches. They will be playing the eliminator at home even if they lose their final league game, given one of Superchargers or Rockets lose in the last round. The net run rate of Invincibles is well ahead of both Supercharges and Rockets, which will help them if there's a three-way tie on nine points.
Last match against: Southern Brave women
Oval Invincibles moved to second on the table with two wins in their last two completed matches. They will be playing the eliminator at home even if they lose their final league game, given one of Superchargers or Rockets lose in the last round. The net run rate of Invincibles is well ahead of both Supercharges and Rockets, which will help them if there's a three-way tie on nine points.
Northern Superchargers women - Wins 3, Points 7
Last match against: Birmingham Phoenix women
A hat-trick of defeats has pushed Northern Superchargers down to third in the table. They will now need to win against Phoenix to secure a spot in the top three. Superchargers could be tied on nine points with Rockets if the latter win against Manchester Originals on Sunday. However, a better net run rate in Superchargers' case ensures them a chance to play the eliminator.
Last match against: Birmingham Phoenix women
A hat-trick of defeats has pushed Northern Superchargers down to third in the table. They will now need to win against Phoenix to secure a spot in the top three. Superchargers could be tied on nine points with Rockets if the latter win against Manchester Originals on Sunday. However, a better net run rate in Superchargers' case ensures them a chance to play the eliminator.
Trent Rockets Women - Wins 3, Points 7
Last match against: Manchester Originals women
A couple of big losses at the start of the tournament have dented Trent Rockets' net run rate, which could have an impact on their chances of progression to the next round. They will need at least one of Invincibles or Superchargers to lose their last league game. And Rockets, who complete their league matches before Invincibles and Superchargers, will also need a big win against Originals to boost their chances.
Last match against: Manchester Originals women
A couple of big losses at the start of the tournament have dented Trent Rockets' net run rate, which could have an impact on their chances of progression to the next round. They will need at least one of Invincibles or Superchargers to lose their last league game. And Rockets, who complete their league matches before Invincibles and Superchargers, will also need a big win against Originals to boost their chances.
Birmingham Phoenix women - Wins 3, Points 6
Last match against: Northern Superchargers women
Successive wins have brought back Birmingham Phoenix into contention for a top-three finish. However, for that to happen, they would first want Rockets to lose to Originals. It will make things straightforward for Phoenix, who then need to beat Supercharges to finish in the top three.
Last match against: Northern Superchargers women
Successive wins have brought back Birmingham Phoenix into contention for a top-three finish. However, for that to happen, they would first want Rockets to lose to Originals. It will make things straightforward for Phoenix, who then need to beat Supercharges to finish in the top three.
London Spirit women - Wins 3, Points 6
Last match against: Welsh Fire women
London Spirit would want both Superchargers and Rockets to lose their last-round games. Then, in the last league match, Spirit will need a win by a margin of at least 100 runs or with 50 balls spare against Welsh Fire.
Last match against: Welsh Fire women
London Spirit would want both Superchargers and Rockets to lose their last-round games. Then, in the last league match, Spirit will need a win by a margin of at least 100 runs or with 50 balls spare against Welsh Fire.
Sampath Bandarupalli is a statistician at ESPNcricinfo