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With a stunning reverse-swing spell, Saqib Mahmood won the Hundred final for Oval Invincibles at Lord’s, putting two years of injury suffering behind him. Mahmood provided a timely reminder of his abilities on the greatest stage in English domestic cricket when he dismissed Leus du Plooy, Kieron Pollard, and Laurie Evans to capture 3 for 1 in seven balls with the Southern Braves’ 148 chase hanging in the balance.
When the Invincibles’ men of 2023–24 retained the championship, they equalled their women’s accomplishment of 2021–22, meaning the best team in the Hundred won their second consecutive title.
The Invincibles have only lost three games in the previous two seasons, so they haven’t exactly lived up to their name. Their unmatched balance comes from having three all-round players in the top seven, Will Jacks and the Curran brothers, guided by captain and coach Sam Billings and coach Tom Moody.
“Saqib Mahmood came and changed the game with that set of 10. That was a turning point,” Billings said. “It’s been a real team effort throughout, probably even better than last year… Your career goes past very quickly and these are the nights to really remember and cherish, as a group of mates as much as colleagues. Winning trophies is what it’s all about.”With 34 wickets taken this season between them, the Invincibles can brag of having the most prolific spin attack in the Hundred. Yesterday, in front of a packed house at Lord’s, Adam Zampa, Nathan Sowter, and Jacks claimed four more wickets in the final.
However, with seven wickets remaining, the Brave only required a respectable 53 off 30 after Evans got under Zampa’s skin, slog-sweeping successive balls for four and six. When Mahmood went full and straight after Du Plooy propelled him over Dawid Malan’s sprawling dive at extra cover, the bowler retreated to the next ball and lost his leg stump.
After three dots to Pollard, Mahmood had the old ball going both ways and continued for a second consecutive set of five from the Nursery End. After taking a quick pause during the strategic timeout, Mahmood unleashed a full-on assault, hitting Pollard on the knee roll and forcing Evans to chip in for short cover, which completely unravelled the chase.
England’s selectors will have been pushed by Mahmood’s influence as Australia tours for three Twenty20 Internationals and five One-Day Internationals in September. He hasn’t played for his country’s cricket team since March 2023. Had Spencer Johnson been well, he would not have been in Sunday’s final, but he did look back to his incredible best.
The Braves’ only remaining chance was Chris Jordan, who had just finished with a match-winning hand in the “Super Five” that decided Saturday’s elimination. Zampa, who took 19 wickets this season, cleaned him up third-ball, and the Invincibles’ name was back on the trophy.