Oval Invincibles defend ‘Hundred’ title with impressive victory over Southern Brave

Oval Invincibles secured the ‘Hundred’ title for the second consecutive year with a commanding 17-run victory over Southern Brave in the final at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

Chasing a target of 148, Southern Brave began confidently but crumbled from a solid 58-0 to 102-7 as the Invincibles seized control of the game.

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Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa made the crucial initial breakthrough, while fast bowler Saqib Mahmood dismantled the Brave middle order with three wickets in just seven balls.

Will Jacks played a pivotal role, scoring 37 off 22 balls and also taking the key wicket of Brave captain James Vince, the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Though no Invincibles batter reached a big score, Sam Curran and Jordan Cox provided important contributions with 25 each, and Tom Curran added a quickfire 24 off 11 balls towards the end of the innings.

Tymal Mills was the standout performer for Southern Brave, finishing with figures of 3-33.

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The Brave innings started well, but after opener Alex Davies was dismissed by Zampa for 35 from 23 balls, the chase faltered. Vince contributed 24, but Mahmood’s successive dismissals of Leus du Plooy for 20, Kieron Pollard, and Laurie Evans halted the Brave momentum.

The Invincibles managed to maintain their advantage and saw out the match comfortably, becoming the first men’s team to successfully defend the ‘Hundred’ title.