LONDON — The Oval Invincibles have etched their name into the history books of The Hundred, becoming the first team to win three consecutive men's titles after a commanding 26-run victory over the Trent Rockets in a thrilling final at Lord's.
Will Jacks provided the explosive foundation with a blistering 41, while leg-spinner Nathan Sowter delivered a masterclass in bowling, taking three crucial wickets for just 15 runs to dismantle the Rockets' chase and secure a comprehensive win for the south London franchise.
Jacks and Johnson set the stage
After being put in to bat, the Invincibles' innings was a story of two halves, built upon a blistering start from the tournament's leading run-scorer, Will Jacks. He launched a savage assault on the Rockets' bowling, particularly targeting pacer Luke Wood, whom he smashed for 22 runs in a single set of five balls.
His partner, left-hander Jordan Cox, fell cheaply, but the arrival of the experienced Australian all-rounder, Sam Curran, stabilized the innings. The pair put on a vital partnership, with Jacks looking set for a match-defining score before he was caught on the boundary for a rapid 41 off just 25 deliveries.
The Rockets' bowlers, led by the ever-reliable Sam Cook (2/24), fought back admirably in the latter stages, applying the brakes and taking regular wickets. A late flurry from the Invincibles' lower order, including a useful cameo from Tom Curran, pushed the total to a competitive 161.
Sowter's spin strangles the chase
In response, the Trent Rockets' chase never truly found its rhythm against a disciplined and varied Invincibles attack. The early loss of key opener Alex Hales, caught brilliantly by a diving Jimmy Neesham off Spencer Johnson, was a massive blow. Johnson himself was exceptional, bowling with serious pace and finishing with remarkable figures of 2 for 6 from his 20 balls.
The real architect of the Rockets' downfall, however, was Nathan Sowter. The leg-spinner was introduced into the attack and immediately applied immense pressure. He claimed the prized scalp of the dangerous Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who had threatened to break the game open, and then clean bowled the Rockets' skipper, Lewis Gregory.
Sowter's control and variation were too much for the middle order, and his spell effectively broke the back of the run chase. The Rockets' key batters fell in quick succession, leaving them stranded at 74 for 5 and with a mountain to climb. The required run rate skyrocketed, and despite a valiant effort from Daniel Sams, the task proved insurmountable.
A historic hat-trick of titles
The victory cements the Oval Invincibles' status as the dominant force in the men's Hundred. Their journey to this third title was not straightforward, requiring a dramatic final-ball victory in their last group game to even qualify for the eliminator, which they then won to secure their place at Lord's.
The team's success has been built on a core of consistent performers and shrewd coaching under Tom Moody. Key factors in their historic three-peat include:
- Powerplay Dominance: The explosive starts provided by Will Jacks.
- Spin Supremacy: The wicket-taking prowess of Nathan Sowter.
- Death Bowling: The composure of Spencer Johnson and Tom Curran.
An elated captain, Sam Billings, praised his team's resilience and character in the post-match presentation, stating: "To do it three years in a row is just incredible. The character we showed, it was a proper team performance. We never do it the easy way, but we've got a team of match-winners."
Heartbreak for the valiant Rockets
For the Trent Rockets, it was a case of so near yet so far. They had topped the group stage and were many people's favourites heading into the final, boasting a powerful batting lineup. However, they faltered on the biggest stage, unable to recover from the early wickets and the relentless pressure applied by Sowter and Johnson.
A disappointed Lewis Gregory acknowledged the Invincibles' superior performance, saying: "We were outplayed today, simple as that. They got a few more than we would have liked and we kept losing wickets. We never got any momentum. Full credit to them, they're a very good side."
The individual brilliance of Will Jacks was rightly recognised as he was awarded the Match Hero award for his game-defining knock at the top of the order, which ultimately provided the platform for victory.
The final word, however, belonged to the unassuming hero with the ball. Nathan Sowter, reflecting on his match-winning spell, simply said: "I'm just over the moon. To contribute in a final at Lord's is what you dream of. We back ourselves in any situation and we've shown that again tonight."
As the celebrations began on the hallowed Lord's turf, the Invincibles confirmed their dynasty. In a short but fierce competition, they have set a new standard of excellence, proving themselves to be the undisputed kings of The Hundred, a team of invincibles in both name and deed.