Oval Invincibles’ quest for a 3rd successive Hundred title started with a crushing six-wicket victory over London Spirit at Lord’s.
Spirit have been skittled for 80 in 94 balls – the second-lowest rating in males’s Hundred historical past – as David Warner (9) and Kane Williamson (9) endured torrid match debuts.
A masterclass from spinner Rashid Khan (3-11) on his Invincibles debut, coupled with misleading slower balls from Sam Curran (3-18), did the injury for the back-to-back defending champions, who have been set simply 81 for an opening-night win.
Invincibles ticked alongside at a run a ball and have been 30 runs from victory by the point openers Will Jacks (24 off 24) and Tawanda Muyeye (18 off 20) had each fallen to the spectacular Liam Dawson (2-9 from 20 deliveries).
Dan Worrall bowled Jordan Cox and Ashton Turner eliminated Sam Curran however not even that, or a fox briefly roaming the outfield, may delay an inevitable Invincibles victory.
It was left to Donovan Ferreira to seal victory with the 31 deliveries remaining with the one six of a forgettable contest.
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Play between the London Spirit and Oval Invincibles was halted as a fox one way or the other discovered its method onto the Lord’s pitch.
Billings bemused by Spirit’s batting
Invincibles skipper Billings on Spirit’s 80 all out:
“I was surprised that after losing a few wickets they didn’t try to get 130, 140 as we know chasing can be hard at Lord’s.
“They only stored on coming when generally you want a little bit of batsmanship and being good. Plus, we stored taking wickets.
“It is about setting up a platform to be able to explode. And I thought our batters played nicely before looking to finish it with 30 balls left.”
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Oval Invincibles’ Sam Curran took two wickets, bowling at simply 47mph.
What’s subsequent?
Invincibles will play Manchester Originals on Saturday at The Kia Oval (11am), with Spirit subsequent in motion later the identical day as they head to Cardiff to tackle Welsh Hearth (2.30pm).
Wednesday’s Hundred double header is between Manchester Originals and Southern Courageous at Emirates Previous Trafford (girls’s match at 3pm, males’s at 6.30pm)
Watch each match from The Hundred reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket as much as and together with the finals at Lord’s on Sunday August 31.
