The Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against the London Spirit at Lord’s, securing their third win in four matches in The Hundred. Sam Curran’s exceptional all-round performance proved pivotal in the Invincibles’ 30-run triumph.
Curran’s blistering knock of 51 from just 22 deliveries propelled the Invincibles to a competitive total of 147 for 5 on a challenging pitch. His innings included three consecutive sixes off Nathan Ellis, showcasing his power-hitting prowess.
In response, the Spirit’s openers, Keaton Jennings and Michael Pepper, provided a solid start, guiding their team to 35 for 0 in the powerplay. However, the Invincibles’ spin attack, led by Adam Zampa and Nathan Sowter, tightened the screws, dismissing both openers and Ollie Pope in quick succession.
Dan Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer briefly revived the Spirit’s hopes, but Zampa’s dismissal of both batsmen left the visitors needing 56 runs from the final 30 balls. Andre Russell attempted to rally his team, but Curran’s hat-trick, the third in the history of The Hundred men’s competition, sealed the victory for the Invincibles.
Curran’s five-wicket haul, including the hat-trick, earned him the Meerkat Match Hero award. He expressed his satisfaction with the performance, acknowledging the challenges posed by Russell and the importance of securing the win.
The Invincibles’ victory consolidates their position in the top half of the standings, while the Spirit remain winless after four matches. The result highlights the importance of all-round contributions and the impact of spin bowling in The Hundred.
