Sam Billings’ Oval Invincibles have defended their title in The Hundred with a stirring victory over the Southern Brave in the final held at Lord’s on Sunday. This thrilling match marks a significant moment in the history of this vibrant competition, as the Invincibles clinched their second consecutive title, displaying incredible prowess and team spirit.
The match was a spectacle of cricketing excellence, with pacer Saqib Mahmood putting in a spellbinding performance. Mahmood’s sensational spell of reverse swing bowling proved to be the key in restricting Southern Brave to 130/7, thereby helping the Invincibles defend their total of 147 runs. This exceptional effort from Mahmood included a masterful display of seam and swing bowling, which dismantled the Brave’s batting lineup when they seemed well on their way to a successful chase.
Oval Invincibles have undoubtedly been the standout team of the season. Their consistency and ability to perform under pressure have led them to this significant milestone, placing them alongside their women counterparts who had clinched back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022. Now, with the men’s team winning titles consecutively in 2023 and 2024, the Invincibles have established a tradition of excellence in The Hundred.
Adding another feather to his cap, captain Sam Billings has become the first skipper in the tournament’s history to lift two titles. His leadership and on-field strategies have been pivotal in leading his team to back-to-back championships. Billings, who had also guided the Invincibles to victory in 2023, now sets a benchmark for future leaders in The Hundred.
Reflecting on the final, it was Southern Brave who won the toss and opted to bowl first. Initially, this appeared to be a wise decision as they managed to contain the defending champions to a moderate total. Will Jacks provided a solid start for the Invincibles with his quickfire 37 off 22 balls. His aggressive batting laid a foundation that was further built upon by contributions from key batsmen. Sam Curran added 25 runs off 20 balls, Jordan Cox chipped in with a lively 25 from 17 balls, and Tom Curran’s quick 24 off just 11 balls took the Invincibles to a competitive total of 147.
The chase for Southern Brave started promisingly, with openers Alex Davies and captain James Vince putting up a solid 58-run partnership.
. The duo seemed to be laying the groundwork for what could be a historic chase at Lord’s. However, the turning point came when Adam Zampa, with his crafty leg-spin, dismissed Davies with a well-disguised googly in his second set of deliveries. This breakthrough changed the complexion of the game.
Following suit, Will Jacks, who had earlier shined with the bat, now made his mark with the ball by removing James Vince, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, for 24 runs. The pressure mounted on the Brave as Nathan Sowter’s leg-spin removed James Coles, creating a hiccup in their batting momentum.
Despite these setbacks, Southern Brave appeared to be in control with 53 runs required off the final 30 balls and seven wickets in hand. This is when Saqib Mahmood stepped up and turned the game on its head. His seven-ball spell wreaked havoc as he claimed three crucial wickets. Mahmood’s late seam movement deceived Leus du Plooy, bowling him out. This was followed by pinning down the dangerous Kieron Pollard for a duck and then dismissing Laurie Evans with a sharp delivery that was neatly caught at covers.
Mahmood’s heroics were complemented by Adam Zampa, who struck again by cleaning up Chris Jordan. Although Craig Overton mounted a late counter-attack with an 11-ball 22, it was too late to alter the outcome. Southern Brave were eventually restricted to 130, falling 17 runs short of the target.
Celebrations erupted in the Oval Invincibles’ camp as they secured their hands on The Hundred trophy once again, cementing their status as the tournament’s dominant force. This victory not only highlights their exceptional talents but also the remarkable depth and resilience within the team.
As the curtains fall on another exhilarating season of The Hundred, one thing remains clear: Oval Invincibles have set a high bar, and future contenders will have a monumental task ahead to displace them from their throne. This victory, splashed with brilliant individual performances and strategic teamwork, will be remembered as a hallmark of cricketing excellence in The Hundred’s storied history.
