When analysing the wretched shows of Welsh Fireplace within the 2022 version of The Hundred, Sky Sports activities Cricket pundit Nasser Hussain didn’t maintain again.
“Not much Welsh and not much fire,” was his take as the lads’s facet misplaced all eight video games and the ladies’s 5 from six.
You can not accuse Oval Invincibles Males – who, on Sunday, might be eyeing the event’s first threepeat – of not dwelling as much as their title, although. They’ve numerous Oval and an air of invincibility.
Among the many two-time defending champions’ squad are a bunch of Surrey gamers who’ve an affinity with The Oval and the native space – Sam Curran, large brother Tom, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson and, for this yr after a spell with Northern Superchargers, Jordan Clark.
Sam and Tom are the heartbeat, taking 23 wickets between them to this point this season – 12 for the previous, together with some together with his sub-50mph moon balls, and 11 for the latter.
Sam has additionally contributed 223 runs, with two half-centuries, at a strike-rate of 178.40, which makes you marvel as soon as once more why he has slipped from England rivalry.
Cox the person of The Hundred in 2025?
Invincibles, after all, additionally characterize Kent and that county is nicely served at The Oval group by Sam Billings, Jordan Cox (born in Kent and performed for Kent earlier than becoming a member of Essex) and Tawanda Muyeye.
Billings knits issues collectively as captain, together with his facet successful 20 of their earlier 26 matches stretching again to the beginning of 2023, whereas Muyeye has shone in patches this time period, most notably with a 28-ball 59 not out versus Manchester Originals.
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Jordan Cox hit 4 sixes in simply 5 balls when Invincibles piled on the runs in opposition to Welsh Fireplace at The Oval
However it’s arguably Cox who has been the person of The Hundred in 2025, clubbing essentially the most runs (327), most sixes (21), joint highest rating (86 not out) and joint most fifties (three).
His strike-rate of 178.68 is simply eclipsed by 5 gamers – team-mate and six-machine Donovan Ferreira, Manchester Originals’ Rachin Ravindra, London Spirit’s Jamie Overton, Southern Courageous’s Jordan Thompson, and Trent Rockets’ George Linde – all of whom have confronted fewer than half the variety of balls Cox has.
World Cup-winning England captain turned Sky Sports activities pundit Eoin Morgan mentioned of Cox: “At the moment, he just looks like an international cricketer to a tee.”
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Try the most effective of Cox’s knock of 56 from 37 balls in opposition to Southern Courageous
No obvious weaknesses for Billings’ boys
Morgan added of Invincibles, who completed high within the league part forward of Trent Rockets on internet run-rate: “They become more and more impressive every time we see them. We are almost trying to find a weakness and it doesn’t seem to come.
“Their kind continues to get higher and higher and belief has been constructed up over quite a lot of years between Billings, coach Tom Moody and the group.
“There is continuity in both selection and role clarity and that goes a very long way in this day and age.”
Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa will play for Invincibles in The Hundred remaining
Just like the Currans, Jacks, Billings and Cox, pacer Saqib Mahmood and leg-break bowler Nathan Sowter have been with Invincibles for all 5 seasons, whereas a well-known face will return for the ultimate in opposition to Rockets or Superchargers in Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
Zampa, a part of Invincibles’ title-winning campaigns in 2023 and 2024, has flown in to exchange Afghanistan counterpart Rashid Khan, who has departed for worldwide commitments.
With six hitters galore, oodles of bowling choices and an unblemished file in finals, Invincibles will take some stopping in what might be the final hurrah for this model of the facet.
A remaining triumph for this model of the Invincibles?
A reputation change appears seemingly with the Oval membership quickly to be run by the Ambani household, the homeowners of Indian Premier League group Mumbai Indians. MI London has been mooted as Invincibles’ new title.
A settled squad may be damaged up forward of the 2026 event.
Saqib Mahmood says Invincibles have cherished the 2025 season as they know the facet may break up forward of subsequent yr
Mahmood informed the PA information company: “That has been a conversation we’ve had in the group about how it could be the last time.
“Franchise tournaments, you’ll be able to are available for a group then go however this has felt totally different with the continuity.
“Not knowing what it will look like next year or the unknown, we have tried to take this year in and make the most of each other’s company and try to win it again.
“We have put ourselves in an amazing place to do this. One to go.”
Watch the 2025 Hundred finals live on Sky Sports Cricket from 1.45pm on Sunday. The women’s final starts at 2.15pm before the men’s gets going at 6pm. Stream cricket and extra with NOW.
