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A half-century and a hat-trick propelled the defending champions, Oval Invincibles, to their third victory in four matches at The Hundred 2024. Sam Curran‘s all-round brilliance against London Spirit set them apart in a fierce battle at Lord’s on Sunday.
Sam Curran’s all-round performance sets Oval Invincibles triumph
Invincibles’ captain Sam Billings made a strategic decision to bat first. The Spirit’s bowlers made the most of the bowler-friendly conditions, leaving the visitors at 46 for two by the halfway mark. Olly Stone clean-bowled Will Jacks and Liam Dawson dismissed Jordan Cox, who was recently added to the England Test squad for the West Indies series.
Dawid Malan and Billings then provided a boost with some powerful shots; though Malan was eventually caught on the square-leg boundary off Matt Critchley for 38 from 29 balls.
Billings struggled to find his rhythm and retired to make way for the in-form Donovan Ferreira. In the mean time, Curran blasted a half-century off just 21 balls, including three consecutive sixes off Nathan Ellis. His explosive innings lifted the Inv🎀incibles to a competitive 147 for 5.
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Curran’s maiden hat-trick against London Spirit
In response, the Spirit navigated the powerplay without loss, with Keaton Jennings and Michael Pepper guiding them to 35/0.
However, the Invincibles’ outstanding spin attack soon made its presence felt, as Jennings and Ollie Pope fell in quick succession. Jacks trapped Jennings lbw, Adam Zampa had Pepper caught with his first delivery, and Nathan Sowter breached Pope’s defense.
Dan Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer then rallied the Spirit, and with 56 runs needed from the last 30 balls, the match became intense. Yet, before they could accelerate, Zampa – who finished with 3 for 22 – dismissed Hetmyer (20 from 21) and Lawrence (27 from 18).
Despite Andre Russell‘s efforts to smash the Spirit closer to victory, Curran ensured an Invincibles win by taking only the third hat-trick in The Hundred men’s competition history, delivering one of the tournament’s most memorable individual performances. He claimed his hat-trick by taking the wickets of Dawson and Stone both for ducks on 89th and 90th delivery. Later on, he pretty much ended all hopes for Spirits’ with Russell’s wicket on 91st delivery, Curran finished his day with 5/16 in his allotted 20 balls.
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Today became the third player to take a hattrick in the men's hundred. Was thrilled to be on commentary on BBC Two when it happened. What a player 💯
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
