The Hundred: Curran Brothers Shine, Oval Invincibles Soar to the Top of the Table

The Oval Invincibles triumphed over Southern Brave in a high-stakes clash of table-toppers in The Hundred, securing their spot at the top of the charts with ten points. The Invincibles’ bowling attack, led by Tom Curran, dismantled the visitors with Curran claiming an impressive four-wicket haul to restrict Southern Brave to a modest total of 118. Sam Curran played a crucial all-round role, contributing with both bat and ball. He took two key wickets, further tightening the screws on the Brave’s batting lineup.

In the chase, Sam Curran’s aggressive knock of 38 runs set the tone for the Invincibles. His powerful hitting and quick runs kept the momentum on their side, allowing them to reach the target easily. The win solidified Oval Invincibles’ position at the top and showcased their dominance in The Hundred.

Match Summary

• Toss: Sam Billings (OI) won the toss and chose to bowl
• Southern Braves Innings: 118/8 in 100 balls
  • James Vince: 52 (39)
  • Kieron Pollard: 18 (15)
  • Key Bowler: Tom Curran (4/24) in 20 balls
• Oval Invincible Innings: 120/4 in 85 balls
  • Jordan Cox: 46* (29)
  • Sam Curran: 35 (18)
  • Key Bowler: Chris Jordan (1/14) in 15 balls

Key Moments

Tom Curran’s exceptional bowling

On a seam-friendly track of The Hundred, Tom Curran showcased his exceptional bowling skills, delivering a match-winning performance. From the outset, he made life difficult for the Southern Brave batsmen, exploiting the conditions to his advantage. Curran struck early, taking the crucial wicket of Andre Fletcher in the fifth set, setting the tone for what was to come.

As the innings progressed, he tormented the Southern Brave lineup, rattling their middle order with precision and pace. Curran’s bowling was a nightmare for the opposition as he dismissed key players like James Vince, Jofra Archer, and Akeal Hosein in quick succession. 

Sam Curran’s exceptional performance with both bat and ball

Sam Curran showcased his all-round brilliance in a stunning display with both bat and ball. Curran was exceptionally striking in the first innings at an impressive rate of 194. His explosive batting saw him score 35 runs off 18 deliveries, providing crucial momentum to the Invincibles. 

His efforts were well-supported by Jordan Cox, who played a pivotal role with the bat, scoring 46 runs off 29 deliveries. Cox’s innings complemented Curran’s aggressive knock, and together, they formed a formidable partnership that put their team in a strong position. The duo’s combined efforts were key to helping Oval easily chase the target, achieving it in just 85 deliveries.

James Vince’s exceptional form continues in The Hundred

James Vince’s remarkable form in The Hundred continued, solidifying his position as one of the tournament’s standout performers. In yet another display of brilliant batting, Vince smashed his third consecutive half-century, demonstrating his consistency and ability to anchor the innings. Vince scored 52 off 39 balls and played a pivotal role in keeping the Southern Brave’s innings afloat amidst pressure. His well-timed strokes and composure at the crease were crucial as he partnered with Kieron Pollard, one of the most experienced T20 players in the world, to help the Braves reach a competitive total of 118/8.

Implications and Future Prospects

Oval Invincibles climbed to the top of the league with a crucial win, taking control of the game by restricting Southern Brave to a modest 118 in the first innings. Despite the low target, Southern Brave’s bowlers made the chase tricky, especially with the new ball. Chris Jordan was particularly effective, delivering a spell of 10 consecutive dot balls, while Overton and Jofra Archer kept things tight, adding pressure to the chase.

Dawid Malan struggled significantly, managing only 14 runs off 31 balls, unable to find his rhythm. However, Sam Curran rescued the Invincibles from a tough situation, scoring a quickfire 35 to shift the momentum back in their favor. Though Curran couldn’t see the chase through, Jordan Cox stepped up, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 46. His steady performance ensured the hosts chased down the target with 15 balls to spare, securing a crucial victory.

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