Oval Invincibles defeated Manchester Originals by a slender margin of three runs in a last-ball thriller in The Hundred. Batting first, Invincibles scored 164 runs in 100 balls, thanks to Sam Curran’s (68 off 38) scintillating knock. Despite valiant efforts from Philip Salt (34 off 28) and Matthew Hurst (50 off 29), the Originals faltered at the crucial juncture of the game, managing 161 runs in 100 balls.
Match Summary
- Toss: Philip Salt (MO) won the toss and opted to bowl.
- Oval Invincibles Innings:164/8 in 100 balls
- Sam Curran: 68 (38)
- Will Jacks: 41 (20)
- Key Bowler: Sikandar Raza (2/17) in 20 balls
- Manchester Originals Innings: 161/7 in 100 balls
- Matthew Hurst: 50 (29)
- Philip Salt: 34 (28)
- Key Bowler: Sam Curran (2/16) in 15 balls
Key Moments
Will Jacks’ Rollicking start
The English batter looked sluggish in Invincibles’ first four games, managing only one double-digit score. However, the right-hander looked promising against Originals and smashed a rapid 41 runs off just 21 balls, including four fours and three sixes. His aggressive batting provided a rollicking start to his side. 
Sam Curran Continues his Dominance
The Surrey all-rounder stole the limelight in Invincibles’ previous outing and continued his merry ways against Originals. Curran came out to bat at number three and went berserk. The southpaw hammered 68 runs off 38 balls, including two fours and six sixes. His impressive batting propelled Invincibles’ score to 164 runs in 100 balls.
Raza’s Bowling
The Zimbabwean player operated in the middle phase of the innings, containing runs effectively. Raza dismissed Will Jacks and Jordan Cox during his 20-ball spell, conceding just 17 runs. His economical bowling played a crucial role in helping Originals restrict Invincibles to under 170 runs.
Salt and Hurst’s Solid Start
In pursuit of 164 runs, Salt and Hurst spearheaded the innings for the Originals and provided a promising start. The dynamic duo scored briskly to keep the run rate in check and added 89 runs for the opening wicket. However, both openers departed in the span of two balls after a promising start, with Salt contributing 34 runs, while Hurst departed after notching up his fifty.
Sam Curran’s Fantastic Final Set
The English player was the standout performer for the Invincibles in their previous game, excelling with both bat and ball. In the final five balls, with Originals needing seven runs off the last five balls, Curran was tasked with defending the total. The left-arm pacer used his experience to secure victory for Invincibles, taking two wickets in the final set while conceding just three runs. His impressive bowling performance sealed a thrilling last-ball win for the Invincibles and won back-to-back Hero of the Match awards for his all-round brilliance.
Implications and Future Prospects
Manchester Originals batters once again failed to capitalize on the start provided by Philip Salt and Matthew Hurst, faltering in their chase from a strong position. With this loss, Phil Salt’s side has now lost five games in a row and has been eliminated from the Men’s The Hundred competition. The middle and lower middle-order batters must contribute to The Hundred’s remaining league-stage matches.
On the other hand, Invincibles have performed well in the crucial juncture of the games in the ongoing The Hundred event and will aim to continue this impressive performance in upcoming The Hundred matches.
Conclusion
Oval Invincibles have won two matches in a row and sit strongly at number two on the points table, with eight points in five games. Sam Billings’ side will look to extend their winning streak in upcoming games and cement their place in the top three.
Conversely, the poor performance from Originals led them to elimination from the tournament and they should look to win their remaining matches and end their campaign on a high note.
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