OVI VS LNS MATCH 21

Right then, that's all from this game. Oval Invincibles have emerged victorious this evening and have strengthened their position at the top of the standings. The action in The Hundred, 2023 continues on Wednesday, 16th of August where the Southern Brave will take on Birmingham Phoenix. The first ball in the Women's game will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2.00 pm GMT) while the Men's game will commence at 11.00 pm IST (5.30 pm GMT). As always, you can join us early for the build-up. Cheers!

Will Jacks is the Hero of the Match for his all-round performance. He says that he is happy to win such a thriller. Adds that he aimed to be unpredictable and how to counteract the batters. Also says that the opposition bowled well but the key to scoring runs on this pitch was to stay put and build partnerships. Ends by saying they will keep their momentum going in the coming matches

Time for the presentations...

Earlier in the game, after Oval Invincibles were put into bat, Jason Roy and Will Jacks took their time initially but Jacks made sure to cover it up with his clean ball striking. Coming in at number 3, Heinrich Klaasen was severe on punishing anything loose right from ball one. By doing so, he ensured the Invincibles did not slow down before Sam Curran came in and provided the finishing touches. For the London Spirit, Daryl Mitchell and Nathan Ellis accounted for two wickets each but the latter was a bit on the expensive side.

Coming to the London Spirit's chase of 190 runs, Adam Rossington wasted no time and was quick to get off the blocks. He unleashed himself all over the park and by doing so, he kept the required run rate in check. At the other end, Zak Crawley could not get much of the strike and played second fiddle during his stay. From 94-0, the London Spirit slipped to 96-3 and found themselves in a spot of bother. With the required run rate climbing, the Spirit batters had to go for their shots which did not seem to come off as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. With 17 needed off the final set of five balls, Matt Critchley kept his side in the hunt but in the end, it proved to be a bridge too far.

Wow, we have witnessed an absolute humdinger this evening! The game ebbed and flowed the entirety of the second innings and at the end of it all, it were the Oval Invincibles who have come out on top. Having finished strongly with the bat, the Oval Invincibles would have fancied to begin well with the ball. It did not go according to the plan for them as they were simply blown away by the onslaught from Adam Rossington. Will Jacks brought them back into the game by striking twice in the first set. The Invincibles never looked back after those twin blows and kept tightening the screws. Towards the end, Sam Curran held his nerves somehow and managed to nail the yorker on the final delivery to see the game out for his side. Not to forget the flying stop by Ross Whiteley which kept the Invincibles in the game.

Nerves of steel! Sam Curran, under immense pressure after the no ball on the previous delivery, has come back stronger. Curran steams in and nails the yorker on middle stump. Chris Wood backs away looking to dig it out on the off side but is beaten all ends up and the ball cannons into the stumps. Curran points to the delivery line to confirm if its a fair delivery and celebrates wildly after it is confirmed. Oval Invincibles win by 2 runs in the most dramatic of fashions!

No ball! The crowd inside the Oval has gone from cheering the victory to being completely silenced. Very full and outside off, Matt Critchley drills it away toward wide long off for a single as Heinrich Klaasen makes a good stop at the boundary and that should do it for Oval Invincibles. But hang on, the umpires are checking for a no ball and unbelievably Sam Curran has overstepped. The game lives on and if Klaasen lets that through for a boundary, the Invincibles would have lost the game. London Spirit need 3 runs off the final ball. Free Hit coming up...

Would you believe it? That is probably one of the greatest ever pieces of fielding especially given what it could mean in the context of the game. Banged in a bit short this time by Sam Curran, Matt Critchley waits for it and pulls it away firmly toward deep square leg. Ross Whiteley from deep mid-wicket runs to his right and just flies to that side, managing to palm the ball back in mid air. Just the two taken and 6 is needed off the final delivery. Take a bow Whiteley!

SIX! What a hit and that could be a game-changing strike! Loose delivery from Sam Curran as he bowls a slot ball on the pads, Matt Critchley just picks it up and swings it away over backward square leg and into the crowd for a biggie. 8 needed off 2 balls.

Gets it very full again around leg, Matt Critchley pushes it down the ground and calls for two right away, getting it eventually. 14 needed now off 3 balls.

Full and at the stumps, hit away down to long off for just a single.

FOUR! Oh, no! Nathan Sowter is completely bamboozled out in the deep. On a good length, Chris Wood swings it away aerially to the left of deep square leg. Nathan Sowter runs around but gets an awful turn and bounce off the practice pitches and is beaten to his right. The ball goes into the ropes.

Chris Wood is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and the home crowd comes alive. Zak Chappell bowls a slower delivery, full and on middle and leg. Liam Dawson stays back and slogs it away off the toe end of the bat. The ball goes to deep square leg where Nathan Sowter takes a good catch.

Bowls it full and quick this time on off, Matt Critchley gets a big inside edge onto the pada and the ball goes onto the off side. They scamper through for one and Oval Invincibles are now penalized for a slow over rate, which means they need to get an extra fielder inside the ring.

Good length on off, Matt Critchley has another swing across the line and crunches it toward cow corner for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! Muscled away! Just short of a length, Matt Critchley holds his base and whacks it away toward deep mid-wicket for a boundary.