The Oval Invincibles kicked off their defense of The Hundred men’s competition with an impressive eight-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix. The Phoenix struggled early on, finding themselves at 10-4 after 17 balls. Thanks to the bowling efforts of Saqib Mahmood and Mohammad Amir, the Phoenix batsmen had a tough time at the crease. Rishi Patel, Benny Howell, and Jacob Bethell were the only ones to reach double figures, but they could only manage a total of 89 runs.
Spinner Adam Zampa was the standout bowler for the Invincibles, finishing with figures of 3-11. In response, the Invincibles chased down the target comfortably with Sam Billings and Dawid Malan leading the charge. Billings remained unbeaten on 31, guiding his team to victory.
The win marked the first time the Invincibles had beaten the Phoenix in The Hundred men’s competition after three previous defeats. England players Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone fell early in the Phoenix innings, setting the tone for a challenging batting display.
Despite a quiet night with the ball for Sam Curran, who took a stunning catch to dismiss Livingstone, the Invincibles’ bowlers Mahmood and Amir did the early damage. The Phoenix’s total of 89 was the fifth lowest in The Hundred men’s competition history.
Invincibles skipper Sam Billings expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging the nerves that come with the start of a tournament. Phoenix captain Moeen Ali highlighted the challenge of batting on a tough wicket and emphasized the importance of playing shots.
Adam Zampa, who was named the player of the match, shared his love for bowling at The Oval, praising the pace and bounce the pitch offers.
Looking ahead, Wednesday will see another double header in The Hundred, with Southern Brave taking on London Spirit at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. Fans can look forward to Jofra Archer making his debut for the Brave in what promises to be an exciting match.
The action continues in The Hundred, with more games and thrilling performances expected as the competition unfolds. Stay tuned for updates on the latest matches and standout moments in this fast-paced tournament.