And that's it from this game, where Sam Curran's standout performance with both bat and ball secured two crucial points for the Oval Invincibles. Next up in The Hundred, we have the final game of Super Sunday, with the Northern Superchargers taking on the Manchester Originals, set to start at 10:30 pm IST (5 pm GMT). In the women's division, the Northern Superchargers registered a convincing win, and now the men from the Manchester Originals will take the field looking to avenge that defeat. Simply switch tabs to enjoy the action from that game. Until next time, cheers and goodbye!
Sam Curran is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his half-century and five-fer with the ball. He says the hat trick wasn't in his mind and he has had a few battles against Dre Russ in the past. Adds that he had no fielder on the leg side and knew it would be either him launching it out of the park or making an error and luckily he nicked it. Mentions that the bowlers complimented each other really well and it was a well-executed team effort.
Earlier in the game, after opting to bat first, the Oval Invincibles found it hard to get going early on. Credit to the London Spirit bowlers for using the conditions smartly and making the Invincibles crawl under a run-a-ball for the first half. The arrival of Sam Curran came as a breath of fresh air for the visitors, injecting some much-needed impetus into the innings. The tactical decision by Sam Billings to retire himself out did not have much impact but Curran surely did with his 22-ball 51, taking the Invincibles to 147.
With 48 runs needed from 24 balls, out walked Andre Russell with his side requiring two a ball. He got a couple of hits away early and it seemed like we were in for a Dre Russ power-hitting show. However, once Dan Lawrence was dismissed, it all fell apart for the Spirit. Sam Billings sensed the need to bring Sam Curran on and it worked like a charm. The collapse triggered by the departure of Lawrence saw the London Spirit lose five wickets in seven balls for no runs, including a Curran hat trick. London Spirit were 115 for 4 from 84 balls, chasing 148 and ended up getting rolled over for 117 in 95 balls.
Chasing 148 runs for victory on a difficult surface, London Spirit had to bat smartly to get over the line and ensure that they did not lose early wickets. Michael Pepper threw caution to the wind and it was more misses than hits for him as he struggled to get going. It was a similar story for Ollie Pope who too failed to deliver. Oval Invincibles used their smarts with the ball and made boundary-hitting difficult for the opposition. Dan Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer stitched a stand where they kept the ones and twos flowing to take the chase ahead.
Oval Invincibles claim the bragging rights in the London Derby! The women's game ended in a thrilling tie, with nothing to separate the two teams. However, the men's clash saw Sam Curran make all the difference, as Sam Billings' Invincibles returned to winning ways. With this commanding 30-run victory, the Invincibles have soared to the top of the standings.
In over# 19
0W
1
1
0
0W
Sam Curran 16/5(4)
OUT! LBW! Sam Curran finishes things off and how! Wraps the game with a five-fer and a hat trick giving away just 16 runs! Take a bow, Sam Curran! He bowls this with pace and full, into the stumps, Daniel Worrall takes a step across and looks for the flick but misses. The ball hits him plumb in front and the umpire wastes no time in raising his finger. Oval Invincibles win this game by 30 runs.
95
W
OUT! LBW! Sam Curran finishes things off and how! Wraps the game with a five-fer and a hat trick giving away just 16 runs! Take a bow, Sam Curran! He bowls this with pace and full, into the stumps, Daniel Worrall takes a step across and looks for the flick but misses. The ball hits him plumb in front and the umpire wastes no time in raising his finger. Oval Invincibles win this game by 30 runs.
94
1
Takes pace off and bowls it full and outside off, Nathan Ellis drags it back to long on for a single.
93
1
Lands it full and on off, Daniel Worrall looks for the big hoick but gets an inside edge through mid-wicket for a single.
92
.
A low full toss, outside off, Daniel Worrall drives it to cover.
Daniel Worrall is the last man in for the London Spirit.
OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! HAT TRICK FOR CURRAN! Sam Curran you beauty! This is his day and he certainly is making the most of it! Comes from over the wicket and angles it across on a fuller length, outside off, Andre Russell gets low on a knee and looks to slash it over covers but plays it away from his body. He gets a feather through to Sam Billings who moves to his right and snaffles it safely in his mitts. The end is nigh for the London Spirit!
91
W
OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! HAT TRICK FOR CURRAN! Sam Curran you beauty! This is his day and he certainly is making the most of it! Comes from over the wicket and angles it across on a fuller length, outside off, Andre Russell gets low on a knee and looks to slash it over covers but plays it away from his body. He gets a feather through to Sam Billings who moves to his right and snaffles it safely in his mitts. The end is nigh for the London Spirit!
Sam Curran will have another set of 5 balls. Nathan Ellis comes out now but it will be Andre Russell on strike for the hat-trick ball.
In over# 18
0W
0W
0
0W
0
Sam Curran 14/3(3)
OUT! TIMBER! Sam Curran on a hat trick! First with the bat, and now with the ball in hand, Curran is doing everything right for his side. He bowls it on a nagging length and into middle and off, Olly Stone makes room and looks to go inside out but the ball stays low and sneaks under the bat to rattle the off stump.
90
W
OUT! TIMBER! Sam Curran on a hat trick! First with the bat, and now with the ball in hand, Curran is doing everything right for his side. He bowls it on a nagging length and into middle and off, Olly Stone makes room and looks to go inside out but the ball stays low and sneaks under the bat to rattle the off stump.