Invincibles’ Back-to-Back Success Oval Invincibles have secured their second consecutive Hundred title with a solid 17-run win over Southern Brave in the final at Lord’s. This victory marks a historic moment as they become the first men’s team to successfully defend their title.
Mahmood’s Game-Changing Performance
Southern Brave, set a target of 148, got off to a strong start but fell apart, collapsing from 58-0 to 102-7. Saqib Mahmood was the game-changer, taking three crucial wickets in just seven balls, while Adam Zampa and Will Jacks also played key roles in dismantling Brave’s batting lineup.
Strong Contributions from Invincibles
Oval Invincibles set a competitive total of 147-9. Will Jacks top-scored with 37 runs off 22 balls. Sam Curran contributed a valuable 25, and Tom Curran’s late hitting added 24 from 11 balls. Despite tight bowling from Southern Brave, including a notable performance from Tymal Mills (3-33), Invincibles set a challenging target.
Brave’s Chase Falters
Southern Brave began their chase well but faltered as key wickets fell. The innings unraveled when key players, including James Vince and Kieron Pollard, were dismissed. Alex Davies scored 35, but with wickets falling quickly, Brave ended at 130-7. Leus du Plooy and Laurie Evans also made contributions but couldn’t prevent the loss.
Team Effort Shines Through
Oval Invincibles’ success was due to a balanced team performance. Despite losing 4-9 in 10 balls, they adapted and performed under pressure. Their bowlers, particularly Zampa and Mahmood, delivered the crucial breakthroughs needed to secure the win.
Reflections on the Victory
Captain Sam Billings praised his team’s efforts: “Amazing. Just a real team effort throughout the tournament, probably even better than last year. It didn’t go all our way and that’s the strength of the group.”
Saqib Mahmood, who played a pivotal role, said, “I don’t want to sound arrogant but we just knew from the start we’d win.”
Southern Brave’s Laurie Evans expressed disappointment but acknowledged Invincibles’ dominance: “It is the third year in a row losing in the final. All credit has to go to Oval Invincibles, they are a great team and have been for the last two years.”
With their back-to-back titles, Oval Invincibles have set a high standard for The Hundred. Their combination of strong performances and resilience promises exciting future editions of the tournament.