After reaching the final of the first three editions of The Hundred, winning in 2023, Southern Brave had a shocking campaign last year – winning just one of their eight matches as they finished bottom.
On this evidence they will fare better this season, with an attack spear-headed by Bell and a supporting cast of impressive spinners.
England’s opening bowler broke the stumps of Kathryn Bryce in her first set and saw New Zealand international Melie Kerr paddle the final ball of the powerplay straight to Chloe Tryon.
Meanwhile Villiers accounted for Originals captain Beth Mooney, with the world’s number one batter cutting to Danni Wyatt-Hodge for just one.
Originals slipped to 66-8 after 74 balls, with 17-year-old Corteen-Coleman bowling the big-hitting Deandra Dottin for eight and Bell catching Fi Morris off her own bowling.
Smale dragged her side towards vague respectability, putting on an unbroken partnership of 29 with Gregory.
Her score of 40 from 34 deliveries was easily the highest of the Originals innings, with Kerr (14) the only other batter to make double figures.
Brave lost opener Maia Bouchier early on, caught by Ecclestone off Dottin for six, bringing Wolvaardt to the crease.
The South African, who was making her first appearance in a Brave shirt after two years at Old Trafford, put on 48 for the second wicket with Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who made 32.
She saw Wyatt-Hodge and Sophie Devine dismissed in the space of five balls and Freya Kemp caught off Kerr with 16 more runs required.
But there was no serious wobble, and Wolvaardt hit Dottin for four over mid-off to level the scores before calmly taking the winning run.
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