Cricholic
Sam Curran delivered a stunning all-round performance to inspire Oval Invincibles to a commanding seven-wicket win over Southern Brave, securing their 4th victory in just 5 games this season. Curran’s 50* with the bat, along with his three crucial wickets, proved to be the difference. Moreover, Jordan Cox extended his red-hot form while Rashid Khan produced a magical spell that dismantled Brave’s batting order.
Sam Curran shines with bat and ball 💪
Sam Curran once again underlined his value as one of the most complete cricketers in The Hundred. With the ball, the left-arm seamer struck at crucial moments, removing Brave’s lower order to finish with figures of 3/21. Furthermore, his clever use of slower deliveries made it difficult for batters to score freely on a sluggish pitch.
His influence, however, was even greater with the bat. After the early dismissals of Will Jacks and Tawanda Muyeye, Curran rebuilt the innings with calmness and control. In addition, he rotated the strike effectively and chose the right moments to attack. By the time he reached his half-century, the match was effectively sealed. As a result, he fittingly remained unbeaten to complete the chase in style.
Jordan Cox extends purple patch 🔥
Jordan Cox has been in red-hot form, and once again he delivered when his team needed him most. Previously scoring 44 and 86*, Cox followed up with another eye-catching 56. Importantly, he wasted no time in taking on the bowlers, hammering Tymal Mills for 4,6,4 to lift the run rate immediately.
His aggressive intent ensured the Invincibles never lost control of the chase. In fact, his partnership with Curran was the turning point of the innings. Though Mills eventually dismissed him, the damage had already been done. Therefore, Cox’s consistency is quickly making him one of the standout performers of the season.
Rashid Khan’s comeback spell 🎯
Rashid Khan, who had faced criticism in previous matches, made a spectacular comeback. The Afghan leg-spinner proved why he is regarded as one of the best short-format bowlers in the world. Moreover, his spell changed the course of the game in a matter of deliveries.
Rashid removed Jason Roy and Michael Bracewell off successive balls before trapping James Coles lbw. Consequently, Southern Brave collapsed from a steady start to a disastrous 44/6. His figures of 3/20 reflected his dominance, but more importantly, they highlighted his ability to shift momentum almost instantly.
Brave’s lower order shows fight ⚡
Despite the top-order collapse, Southern Brave did not go down without resistance. Hilton Cartwright top-scored with a determined 42, while Jordan Thompson added valuable runs. As a result of their lower-order partnerships of 37 and 39 runs, Brave managed to cross the 130-run mark.
However, their recovery was never enough against Invincibles’ quality attack. Curran returned to clean up the tail, ensuring Brave were bowled out for 133 inside 98 balls. Ultimately, their fightback added respectability to the score but did little to alter the outcome.
Sam Curran and Invincibles dominate the season 🚀
With this victory, Sam Curran and Oval Invincibles strengthened their grip at the top of the table. Moreover, the team’s balance across departments has been outstanding, combining Curran’s all-round brilliance, Cox’s fearless batting, and Rashid’s spin wizardry.
As a result, Invincibles now boast four wins in five matches, making them clear title contenders. Their players are in top form, and momentum is firmly on their side. Therefore, opposition teams will need something extraordinary to stop their march towards the finals.
📊 Match Summary
- Southern Brave: 133 in 98 balls (Hilton Cartwright 42; Rashid Khan 3/20, Sam Curran 3/21)
- Oval Invincibles: 134/3 in 89 balls (Jordan Cox 56, Sam Curran 50*; Craig Overton 2/21)
- Result: Oval Invincibles won by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare
