The Northern Superchargers, 176 for 8 (Banton 81, Atkinson 3-24, S. Curran 2-31), were defeated by the Oval Invincibles, 185 for 5 (Cox 73*, Klaasen 46) by nine runs.
Sam Curran made his presence felt both with the bat and the ball as Jordan Cox, in fine form, guided the Oval Invincibles to a thrilling nine-run victory over the Northern Superchargers in their top-of-the-table Men’s Hundred match.
As the league-leading Invincibles built a dominant 185 for 5 late in the game, Curran smashed 24 off 12 balls before collecting a wonderful catch and a wicket as the Superchargers fell to 23 for 2. Tom Banton, the Superchargers’ opener, scored an incredible 81 off just 43 balls to help them recover; at 146 for 3 after 75 balls, they were favorites needing 40.
Although Gus Atkinson was defending 19 off the final set of five balls, left-arm seamer Curran returned to bowl and had Banton caught at deep midwicket by a diving Ross Whiteley. Curran finished with 2 for 31 from 20 balls.
The Superchargers lost their first game in four after finishing with a score of 176 for 8. The Invicibles, led by the unbeaten Jordan Cox, won their third straight game to maintain their seven-point lead atop the standings.
Heinrich Klaasen, a South African international, led the Invincibles with six sixes in a fun 46 off 22.
Spencer Johnson, an Australian quick, had only given up one run in an extraordinary 20-ball stretch during their victory over the Manchester Originals on Tuesday at home, but here he gave up five runs off his first delivery, including a wide, to open the visiting defense. His final score was 1 for 36.
Reece Topley’s full toss was the first ball of the match when it was flicked by Jason Roy down deep into the backward square leg’s throat.
Will Jacks, Klaasen’s opening partner, got things started with a sharp 40 before being caught by Callum Parkinson, leaving Klaasen at 69 for 2 after 44 balls.
Despite not hitting a four, Klaasen was just as devastating today as when he blasted a sizzling 60 against the Originals.
The score increased from 85 for 2 after 60 overs to 104 for 2 after 65, with pacer Brydon Carse taking the brunt of it, giving up three sixes in five balls. The other two went high over backward square-legged, while the first went arrow straight.
Klaasen then miscued to long-on, similar to Jack’s. Adil Rashid struck this time. But with 124 for 3 after 74, the Invincibles were on track for a commanding total.
Cox made 50 out of 30 balls.
Cox reached 50 off 30 balls, although for the majority of this inning, he was the supporting actor. Before assuming the lead role at the conclusion, he rotated the strike effectively.
With 2 for 29, captain Wayne Parnell led the Superchargers’ bowling attack, almost falling short of a late hat-trick after getting rid of Curran and Ross Whiteley by being caught and bowled.
Then, when the hosts stumbled, Curran caught Harry Brook cutting for only four runs after taking a fantastic catch back-peddling to assist Atkinson in getting rid of Matt Short.
However, a 57-ball stand between Banton and Adam Hose to move the score to 82 for 2 after 50 balls signaled the beginning of the reversal.
Banton continued, but Hose quickly hammered Nathan Sowter’s leg-spin to long-on to fall for 45. After 30 balls, he reached the 50-mark and reverse-hit Sowter’s following pitch for a six over the cover.
The Superchargers then set out on their course. However, Johnson took Saif Zaib out of the game, Curran came back to strike and pressure, and Atkinson struck twice in the final five to catch Carse and Rashid.
For more latest news in cricket visit IPLWIN
