The double header between the Oval Invincibles and Northern Superchargers also served as an interesting experiment, with the women going on second after the men – headlining a day at The Hundred for the first time.
It feels slightly skinny that this will be the only time this summer the women are afforded such a privilege.
There are arguments for each scenario. If we are to imagine the men’s game will draw a bigger crowd, is it better for the women to play first, when spectators are coming in, rather than second, when they are leaving?
The venue would have to be correctly chosen, too. The London grounds are probably a better fit than somewhere like Southampton, which is notoriously difficult to get to and from, therefore tempting those who want to leave early in order to beat the traffic.
To the naked eye, the Oval crowd held pretty firm for the start of the women’s game, before thinning out as the night wore on. Organisers said there were 21,339 inside for the men’s game and between 15,000 and 16,000 for the women’s.
Those that stayed did not see a classic contest, but a supreme demonstration of why the Invincibles, the defending champions, will once again be the team to beat.
The home side thoroughly outplayed the Superchargers, whose total of 143-5 was bettered just five times in last year’s tournament, only to be overhauled with 16 balls and nine wickets to spare by the Invincibles.
The chase was led by former Supercharger Lauren Winfield-Hill, playing with a smile on a face after a difficult year which saw her dropped by England during the World Cup.
Her unbeaten 74 was supported by Suzie Bates’ 46, but the real pyrotechnics came from rising star Alice Capsey, celebrating her 18th birthday with 25 from eight balls.
Inspirational captain Dane van Niekerk was not needed to bat, while the Invincibles still have ferocious all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, missing out through illness, to come in.
They will face sterner tests than the Superchargers, who have invested in marquee overseas batters Alyssa Healy, Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues, yet look light on bowling. They let themselves down with dropped catches, too.
On the day The Hundred became whole once more, it was the men who provided the greater drama, with the Curran brothers inspiring a thrilling Invincibles run-chase.
However, the remaining six rounds of matches will be all the richer for the presence of the women.
Here come the girls.