The Oval Invincibles kicked off the fourth year of The Hundred with spectacular victories in both the men’s and women’s matches against the Birmingham Phoenix. Under the dazzling lights of the Oval, the defending men’s champions secured an eight-wicket win, while the women’s team triumphed by 45 runs.
Invincible Men’s Team Dominate with Eight-Wicket Victory
The men’s match saw an explosive start as the pace duo of Saqib Mahmood and Mohammad Amir dismantled Birmingham Phoenix’s batting lineup. After Phoenix’s captain, Moeen Ali, elected to bat, the visitors were reduced to a shocking 10 for four within just 17 balls. Mahmood and Amir each claimed two wickets, setting the tone for a dominant performance.
Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa continued the onslaught with three wickets for just 11 runs, mirroring the earlier success of Amanda-Jade Wellington, who took three for nine in the women’s match. Despite efforts from Jacob Bethell and Benny Howell to stabilize the innings, Phoenix could only muster a total of 89 runs.
The Invincibles chased down the target with ease, cruising to an eight-wicket victory with 31 balls to spare. Captain Sam Billings provided some late fireworks, while Tawanda Muyeye impressed the crowd of 23,621 with a quick 23 from 14 balls. Reflecting on the win, Zampa said, “It was nice to start that way, especially at home, and it was good for us to continue our success from last year. It’s a really enjoyable competition, I love playing in The Hundred.”
Scholfield Shines in Women’s Victory
Earlier in the day, Paige Scholfield delivered a standout performance to lead the Oval Invincibles women’s team to a commanding 45-run victory. Promoted to open the batting in the absence of Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, Scholfield scored a brilliant 71. England’s Alice Capsey provided excellent support, contributing 52 runs as the pair put on a 90-run partnership for the second wicket.
Despite a late flurry of wickets that curtailed their progress, the Invincibles posted a competitive total of 150. The Birmingham Phoenix struggled in response, losing three wickets with the score on 32. While New Zealand captain Sophie Devine and Amy Jones tried to resist, Wellington’s leg-spin proved too much to handle, sealing the win for the Invincibles.
An elated Scholfield remarked, “I’m absolutely buzzing. It’s the first time I’ve opened so I was a bit nervous, but I had Lozzy [Lauren Winfield-Hill] there helping me through those first 10 balls, and I got a nice feel for the pitch.”
Conclusion
The Oval Invincibles have set a high standard for the rest of The Hundred tournament with their emphatic performances against the Birmingham Phoenix. Both teams showcased their depth and talent, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their next matches. Stay tuned for more thrilling cricket action from The Hundred!
Source: The Guardian
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