Oval Invincibles and London Spirit are set to face off in the 26th match of The Hundred Men's Competition 2024 at the iconic Kennington Oval, London this Sunday.
Oval Invincibles come into this match riding high after a commanding six-wicket victory over Southern Brave, powered by standout performances from Tom Curran, Sam Curran, and Jordan Cox. With five wins out of six, the Invincibles are firmly entrenched at the top of the table.
In stark contrast, London Spirit's campaign has hit a dead end following a 12-run loss to Manchester Originals, marking their second defeat and eliminating them from playoff contention. Adding to their woes, they were comfortably beaten by Oval Invincibles by 30 runs earlier in the tournament.
Teams Preview
Oval Invincibles
The Invincibles' batting lineup is formidable, featuring stars like Will Jacks, Dawid Malan, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, and captain Sam Billings. In their last outing, Jordan Cox shone with an unbeaten 46 off 29 balls, supported by Sam Curran's explosive 35 from 18 balls.
On the bowling front, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Nathan Sowter, and the Curran brothers (Tom and Sam) have been delivering consistently. Tom Curran was exceptional in the previous match, claiming 4 for 18, while Sam Curran chipped in with 2 for 28.
London Spirit
For London Spirit, the batting burden rests on Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, captain Daniel Lawrence, wicketkeeper Michael-Kyle Pepper, Shimron Hetmyer, and Andre Russell. Keaton Jennings was the standout in their last match, scoring an unbeaten 61 off 50 balls, with Shimron Hetmyer contributing 44 off 35 balls.
In the bowling department, Liam Dawson, Olly Stone, Nathan Ellis, Richard Gleeson, and Andre Russell are the key players. Olly Stone and Richard Gleeson were the pick of the bowlers in their last match, each taking two wickets.
Weather Conditions
Expect a lively surface at the Oval, where the average first innings score has hovered around 145 in recent matches. The highest total, 147 for 5, was posted by Oval Invincibles against London Spirit earlier this season. The pitch offers something for the bowlers early on, but batting gets easier as the ball ages. The forecast suggests sunny intervals with a gentle breeze.
Pitch Report & Toss Prediction
Kennington Oval has been a happy hunting ground for teams chasing in this tournament. With the last two games won by the chasing side, the toss could be crucial. Expect both captains to opt for bowling first.
Match Prediction
Given their current form, the Oval Invincibles are heavy favorites to win against London Spirit. With key players like Sam Curran, Adam Zampa, and Dawid Malan in prime form, the Invincibles will be eager to extend their winning run on home turf.
Prediction: Oval Invincibles to secure a dominant victory over London Spirit.
