In a thrilling culmination of The Hundred Men’s third edition, the Oval Invincibles emerged victorious, capturing their maiden title with a remarkable performance in the final against the Manchester Originals. The championship clash held on August 27th witnessed a display of resilience, batting brilliance and record-breaking feats, as the Oval Invincibles secured a memorable victory.
The final encounter at The Hundred Men’s tournament showcased the epitome of sportsmanship and competitive spirit as the Oval Invincibles took on the Manchester Originals. After a shaky start that saw the Invincibles struggling at 34/5, a remarkable partnership between Jimmy Neesham and Tom Curran revitalized their innings. Neesham’s explosive unbeaten 57 runs off 33 balls and Curran’s dynamic 67* off 34 balls propelled the Invincibles to a formidable 161/5. In response, the Manchester Originals battled valiantly but succumbed to the pressure, managing only 147/6. Curran’s all-round prowess came to the fore as he not only played a pivotal role with the bat but also clinched 1/25 in his allotted 20 balls, sealing the championship for his team.
The tournament statistics shed light on some remarkable individual performances that defined the season. Jos Buttler of the Manchester Originals emerged as the leading run-scorer, amassing an impressive 391 runs in just 10 matches. Buttler’s consistency, with an average of 43.44 and a strike rate of 145.35, positioned him at the forefront of the batting charts. Notably, he secured the record for the most fifties in the season, standing out as a beacon of stability in his team’s lineup.
A standout century by Harry Brook of the Northern Superchargers etched his name in the annals of The Hundred’s history. His blistering 105* off 42 balls against the Welsh Fire marked the sole instance of a century in the entire season. Brook joined an elite club of centurions in The Hundred, alongside Will Jacks and Will Smeed, who achieved the feat in the previous edition. Interestingly, the Invincibles dominated the list of top individual scores, with Philip Salt, Jamie Overton and Jos Buttler featuring prominently.
Tom Curran’s superlative all-round performance elevated him to record-breaking heights in the tournament. Curran’s exploits with both bat and ball were remarkable, as he bagged nine wickets in five matches with an economy rate of 8.88, while also amassing 175 runs at a staggering strike rate of 176.76. His batting average of 175, coupled with his wicket-taking abilities, established Curran as a standout performer. Notably, he emerged as the sole all-rounder to achieve the double of 170 runs and eight wickets in the season.
The bowlers, too, left their mark on the competition. Tymal Mills of the Southern Brave led the bowling charts with a total of 16 wickets in nine matches, asserting his dominance with an economy rate of 7.83. This performance not only earned him the title of the highest wicket-taker in the season but also showcased his ability to control the game’s pace. His teammate Rehan Ahmed’s economy rate of 6.96 set a benchmark for bowlers who delivered at least 20 sets of five balls.
The records did not end there. The Manchester Originals’ successful chase of a 197-run target against the Southern Brave established a new high for run-chases in The Hundred. Their triumph propelled them to a total of 201/3, sharing the honor of the season’s joint-highest team score with the Northern Superchargers.
Among the myriad of numbers that defined the season, Harry Brook’s strike rate of 196.69 stood out as the highest among batters with at least 150 runs. Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen, both representing the Invincibles, matched each other with a staggering count of 17 sixes, showcasing their ability to clear the boundaries with finesse. Moreover, the partnership between Jimmy Neesham and Tom Curran, a monumental 127-run stand for the sixth wicket in the final, etched their names in history as the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of The Hundred.
In a season marked by exceptional performances, dramatic turnarounds and record-breaking moments, the Oval Invincibles’ triumph in The Hundred Men’s third edition stands as a testament to the spirit of cricket and the pursuit of excellence. As the curtains draw on yet another exhilarating chapter of The Hundred, fans can only await with bated breath for the next installment of this enthralling cricketing spectacle.
