Oval Invincibles have qualified in The Hundred’s women’s final in style. Moreover, they racked up this year’s competition’s highest score. They attained such by defeating the Manchester Originals by 32 runs. It was played at Emirates Old Trafford.
The Oval Invincibles had posted a score of 163 on the board by loosing 2 wickets. Courtesy goes to skipper Suzie Bates who stood not out scoring 79. However, the team is all set to showcase their skills at the Lord’s. There, they will either face Southern Brave or the Trent Rockets on Sunday.
The Manchester Originals were no near to the Ova Invincibles. This defeat moreover, shattered their narrow chance for qualification for the competition’s latter stages , However Lizelle Lee gave a good fight of 64 runs, but wasn’t enough to seal the win.
Teenager Sophia Smale and Marizanne Kapp, enjoyed they day with bat and ball. They were the standout among the bowlers. Both of them eneded with two wickets in pocket. Henceforth, they restricted the Originals were 131 runs by taking overall 6 wickets.
Winning the toss, The Invincibles decided to bat first. The experienced opening pair Bates and Lauren Winfield-Hill however rightly justified the decision. The team indeed aimed for a win as it will gift them top spot and an automatic entrance to the final.
The opening duo had put 43 ball 62 runs or the Invincibles. However, the rule ended after Erin Burns caught Winfield-Hill in the deep off Emma Lamb. The New Zealander Bates was however undeterred,. She smashed a glorious fifty from 33 balls. However the show ended when Sophie Ecclestone bowled out Alice Capsey for 18 while trying to keep up the runs flow.
Thereafter, Kapp walked in to the crease. She however joined the team after she missed the last two matches. However, she took Bates and showcased a powerful show all around the field. This elevated their team’s score to a huge 163. Both stood not out, and added 67 runs from just 36 balls. Bates’ innings of 79 is decorated with two sixes and nine fours. Kapp’s 36 however consisted of five boundaries, and one six.
Lee, the lone warrior for Originals against The Oval Invincibles
Last year, Southern Brave registered the highest score in The Hundred (166). Invincibles’ were 3 run short of just 3 runs. But who cares! Invincibles registered their victory. However Brave suffered a shocking defeat to the Northern Superchargers. This henceforth, let them to avoid the Eliminator on Friday.
The Manchester Originals were sure of chasing down in 72 balls to secure its spot for the play-offs. However, it looked other way Smale bowled out Lamb without letting her to score. Thereafter, Bates and Kapp took the match on their shoulders for the Invincibles.
Lee however was lone warrior for her team. Smale bowled Burns for five. Capsey caught Ecclestone off Kapp for one. However, Invincible fielder ran put the debutant Daisy Mullan while batting on nine.
Lee smashed her half century from 34 balls. However, she had to leave the field after being caught at the boundary off Eva Gray. Her finally 64 off 41 hadn’t fell short to receive a warm ovation from the home crowd.
Ami Campbell however tried maintain some pride for the Originals against the Invincibles. She scored 23 , one run a ball, with two boundaries. However, her effort wasn’t sufficient to gift her team a win.
Sky Sports will broadcast both the eliminator matches on Friday, 2nd September. The women will play their game from 3 pm, while the men will appear from 6:30 pm. Ageas Bowl will host both the matches.
On Saturday, the Lord’s will host the finals from 3pm and 6:30 pm respectively.
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