London, August 19 (HS): Oval Invincibles extended their winning streak in The Hundred with a dominant 7-wicket victory over Southern Brave on Monday, securing their fourth win in five matches this season. The triumph was built on destructive batting from Jordan Cox and Sam Curran, combined with a spectacular bowling spell from Rashid Khan.
Southern Brave endured a disastrous start after electing to bat. Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff ripped through the top order, dismissing skipper James Vince and Leus du Plooy cheaply. Soon after, Tom Curran added further misery by removing Laurie Evans.
Then came a game-changing spell from Rashid Khan, who dismantled the middle order in breathtaking fashion, snapping up three wickets in just five deliveries. He sent Jason Roy and Michael Bracewell packing off consecutive balls before trapping James Coles leg-before, leaving Brave reeling at 44/6.
A late rescue act from Hilton Cartwright and Jordan Thompson steadied the innings, adding crucial lower-order runs. Cartwright’s 42 and Thompson’s gritty support lifted Brave to 133 all out, before Sam Curran capped the innings with two late strikes.
Chasing 134, Invincibles too stumbled early as Craig Overton removed Will Jacks and youngster Tawanda Muyeye in quick succession. But Jordan Cox and Sam Curran seized control, turning the tide with fearless strokeplay.
Cox, continuing his fine run of form, smashed his fourth successive big score and raised a blistering half-century. Curran matched his partner with a stylish fifty of his own, sealing it in style with a towering six. Though Cox eventually fell to Tymal Mills, the damage was already done.
Skipper Sam Billings arrived with intent, cracking three classy boundaries, before Curran finished the job with a winning shot, as Invincibles wrapped up the chase with 11 balls to spare.
With this emphatic win, Oval Invincibles strengthened their grip at the top of the points table.
Match Summary:
-Southern Brave: 133 (98 balls)
Hilton Cartwright 42
Rashid Khan 3/20, Sam Curran 3/21
-Oval Invincibles: 134/3 (89 balls)
Jordan Cox 56, Sam Curran 50*
Craig Overton 2/21
Result: Oval Invincibles won by 7 wickets
—————
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
