The Hundred: Oval Invincibles Men edge out London Spirit in thrilling finish as rain abandons two matches | Cricket News

Oval Invincibles edged out London Spirit in their derby match at The Hundred Men after a thrilling finish at Lord’s.

​​​​​​Spirit set a target of 132 to win and it looked like they were going to take the honours when Invincibles needed 15 off the last five. However, Sunil Narine produced some stunning batting at the end to give the Invincibles victory by three wickets.

Both sides will meet again later in the tournament as regional rivals play each other twice in The Hundred.

Fire win first Hundred match for two years

Two wickets in the first two balls of the innings for Pakistan ace Shaheen Shah Afridi set Welsh Fire on their way to their first Hundred victory since 2021.

With just 40 balls per side, due to a rain delay, Manchester Originals fell nine runs short of the Welsh Fire total of 94, despite Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 37 off 18 and Max Holden’s 37.

Afridi set the tone at the top, while fellow Pakistan bowler Harris Rauf went for just 15 in the middle stages to put Originals behind the run rate.

Welsh Fire’s total was built around a superb 57 off 23 by opener Luke Wells allowing celebrations at Sophia Gardens as the hosts started with a win after losing every game last season.

Wells found gaps in the field, though Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir temporarily put the brakes on proceedings until his last four balls went for 17. Wells would eventually depart for an excellent 57 when he was caught on the boundary by Jamie Overton off Josh Little as he went for another six. Fire settled for 94 off their 40 balls as Tom Hartley’s final five balls of the innings went for only seven runs, including the wicket of Phillips.

There was pressure on Originals openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler as Fire brought in Pakistan opening bowler Afridi to try and reverse their fortunes. He made an immediate impact. His first ball swung in to trap Salt in front before his second ball was a carbon copy to get rid of Laurie Evans. Holden found the swing easier to cope with as Afridi bowled 10 balls straight, conceding 24.

Buttler started quietly before suddenly announcing himself with 10 runs off two balls from David Payne, before smashing another huge six off Pakistan’s Harris Rauf. Rauf only went for 15 off his 10 balls, leaving Originals needing 36 off the last 10 balls.

Holden was well caught at deep point by Phillips off the bowling of Willey, but Paul Walter announced his arrival with a huge six over midwicket before departing next ball caught behind. Buttler’s late assault was too little too late for Originals.

Both women’s matches abandoned

Oval Invincibles’ bid for a hat-trick of women’s Hundred title wins got off to a soggy start as their city derby with London Spirit was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Lord’s.

Overnight rain, which had already left the outfield damp, returned at around 1pm with puddles quickly forming on the playing surface.

Conditions worsened as the afternoon progressed, leaving umpires James Middlebrook and Jasmine Naeem no alternative but to abandon the match, so both sides received one point each.

It was the same story in Cardiff as Welsh Fire and Manchester Originals were unable to play due to rain in the early game on Wednesday.

What’s next?

The Hundred continues on Thursday with two more games.

Northern Superchargers women take on Birmingham Phoenix women at 3pm at Headingly, before the men’s sides meet from 6.30pm.

Sky Sports will show all 68 games in The Hundred live this summer. Stream The Hundred and more with NOW