Oval Invincibles fought back from disastrous start to claim their maiden men’s Hundred cricket title at Lords against Manchester Originals, who for the second consecutive year will have to make do with being runners up. Originals were looking to take in the momentum of the previous evening when they spectacularly knocked off 196 against Southern Brave to reach another final. This was the case as they started superbly after winning the toss and choosing to field.
Underwhelming Opening For The Oval Invincibles
Richard Gleeson found Jason Roy’s inside edge third ball of the match to dismiss the England cricket team opener for a duck, he also dismissed Paul Stirling before Josh Little removed Sam Curran first ball and Paul Walter saw the back of captain Sam Billings. When opener Will Jacks fell to the spin of Tom Hartley half of the London based outfits batting had been removed with just 34 on the board in 36 balls. Tom Curran joined New Zealand national cricket team player Jimmy Neesham at the crease hoping to build some sort of total that would challenge the Originals.
An Unsuspecting Comeback
Even the most optimistic Invincibles supporter wouldn’t have predicted what was to come next; a record partnership. Curran showcased his much improved batting playing superbly for his 67 not out in 34 balls, hitting four fours clearing the rope for six on five occasions. He was backed up well by Neesham who made 57 not out from 33 balls and they built an unbroken stand of 127 (the highest so far in the Mens Hundred) in 64 balls to get their team to 161 for 5.
Fine Display From The Invincible’s Bowlers
Although the recovery had been remarkable the Originals wouldn’t have been too daunted by this target after the exploits of the previous evening. Much hinged on openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler though who had run riot on Saturday making 47 from 17 and 82 from 46 respectively. It wasn’t to be repeated on this occasion that man Tom Curran got rid of Salt after a promising start, caught by his brother Sam. Then the big one Danny Briggs bowled this year’s competitions leading run scorer Buttler, who never got going, charging down the track through the gate for 11 from 15 balls. The Invincibles spinners squeezed the game with Nathan Sowter, Briggs and Jacks taking 4 for 37 in 40 balls between them reducing Originals to 72 for 5 at one stage.
Max Holden showed some fight, along with Jamie Overton and Tom Hartley but they never really threatened to chase down the target after that damaging middle period. Invincibles won by 14 runs and lifted the men’s Hundred for the first time, they hadn’t even reached the knock out stages in the first two years.Tom Curran was deservedly named player of the match after adding 1 for 25 with the ball to his batting heroics.
Final Result
Oval Invincibles 161 for 5 (T Curran 67 not out, Neesham 57 not out, Gleeson 2 for 37) beat Manchester Originals 147 for 6 (Holden 37, Jacks 2 for 11) by 14 runs.
