Invincibles all-but in men’s Hundred final after beating Spirit

The Kia Oval and The Hundred Men’s Competition

London Spirit 152-7 (100 balls): J Overton 31 (18), Higgins 28 (15), Smith 28 (15), Sowter 2-23

Oval Invincibles 153-4 (78 balls): Cox 47 (27), Jacks 45 (27), Dawson 2-30

Six wickets separated Oval Invincibles.

Oval Invincibles defeated London Spirit at The Oval to effectively seal their place in Sunday’s men’s half-finale.

Although Northern Superchargers and Trent Rockets can share their 24 points with victories on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, it is highly unlikely for them to overtake them as the table’s four-point favorites are now.

Therefore, they stay away from Saturday’s elimination match between Superchargers and Rockets.

Invincibles won the game by easing a 153-pound chase while batter Jordan Cox kept his excellent form.

Tawanda Muyeye was caught for a first-ball duck when the right-hander confidently struck 47 from 27 balls to put his lead at the top of the run-scoring chart at its feet.

With 22 balls left, his team won when he was bowled in the reverse sweep to Jamie Overton, but only 26 were required at that point.

Although the hosts did not play the ball well, they still held off their London rivals by 152-7.

As they pursue a third title after the first, Invincibles appear to have covered every base.

Will Jacks, the opener, also hit three sixes in a 27-ball 45, along with Cox, who brutally flogged anything short over the leg side.

Strong finisher Donovan Ferreira hit a 24 from just nine balls to win the game, but both fell before he could only manage one more.

Ferreira has the best strike-rate in the tournament, despite Cox’s 63 runs clear of Cox’s 63 runs.

Although batting is their strongest trait, skipper Sam Billings always has a choice given the range of pace attacks they use.

Since Rashid Khan left for international duty with Afghanistan last week, leg-spinner Nathan Sowter has excelled as the only spinner.

After Jamie Smith opened the scoring with 28 from 15, and Overton added 31 from 18, which increased the score, he took 2-23.

Invincibles is in talks with the 33-year-old over a one-game deal, and Sowter may be paired with Australian spinner Adam Zampa for the final.

On Sunday, Northern Superchargers take on Manchester Originals, a local rival.

In the women’s match, Originals needs a significant win to surpass Spirit in terms of net run-rate and maintain their hopes of winning the eliminator.

After Harry Brook’s Superchargers, Jos Buttler’s Originals effectively face off in second place.

Both BBC Two and BBC iPlayer will allow you to watch both games live.