Spirit thrash Invincibles to boost knockout hopes

The Kia Oval and The Hundred women’s competition are both in English.

Oval Invincibles 108-8 (100 balls): Kapp 32 (25), Dean 2-12, Gray 2-12

London Spirit 112-2 (62 balls): Chathli 53 (29), Redmayne 42 (30), Franklin 2-10

Spirit won by eight wickets.

With a crushing eight-wicket victory over city rivals Oval Invincibles, London Spirit increased their chances of making it to The Hundred knockout stages.

With both captain Charlie Dean and seamer Eva Gray taking 2-12, Victory was built on a standout performance both on the field and with the ball.

Before Kira Chathli and Georgia Redmayne powered Spirit to victory, the already-eliminated Invincibles were limped to 108-8 from their 100 balls.

Chathli continued her strong campaign and recorded a 26-ball half-century with a six from the beginning of the draft.

Moments after Redmayne, who made 42 from 30, was also dismissed, Charli Knott completed the task for Spirit with a massive 38 balls to spare, with only two more needed.

Spirit’s return to form, which they have lost in their previous two games, puts them four points clear of Manchester Originals in fourth, putting an end to Trent Rockets’ chances of qualifying for the elimination game.

It was crucial that the Spirit attack was on it against a strong Invincibles top order after choosing to bowl first in such a crucial match.

When Meg Lanning was pushed out, Kate Coppack, who had the opportunity to score with her first ball, was held to her right by wicketkeeper Redmayne for a difficult chance diving.

They persevered with impressive discipline despite a breakthrough that was not imminent.

In the final 15 balls of the powerplay, Dean and Gray were the only ones who had conceded just seven runs, but the skipper removed Lanning just as the Invincibles openers appeared to be settled.

It was Gray’s turn to end a partnership that was beginning to threaten Marizanne Kapp and Alice Capsey.

Outstanding seamer. With 75% of her deliveries being tight to the stumps and the other 25% being in the channel outside off, she didn’t bowl a single delivery too far outside off.

With only two wickets apiece, Dean and Gray, who had excellent control, undoubtedly contributed to the creation of others as the pressure mounted and wickets piled up, with Dean’s one-handed stunner being the pick of a number of superb catches.

Tomorrow is another derby day for Manchester Originals and Northern Superchargers at Headingley.

Both games will be available to watch live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, with coverage for the women’s game beginning at 14:45 BST and the men’s game following at 18:00 BST.