Heinrich Klaasen led the charge for Oval Invincibles with a fierce half-century, guiding them to a resounding victory over Manchester Originals by a record-breaking margin of 94 runs in The Hundred.
The South African aggressively scored 60 runs off just 27 balls, smashing six sixes. He partnered with Jason Roy (59 runs from 42 balls) for a solid stand of 91 runs for the second wicket, propelling the hosts to a total of 186 for 5. Jamie Overton was the standout performer for the visitors, taking 2 wickets for 21 runs.
In response, the Originals faltered, with debutant Spencer Johnson delivering the most economical figures ever seen in The Hundred, taking 3 wickets for just 1 run from a full 20 balls, while Sunil Narine also contributed with 3 wickets for 12 runs. Only Overton, who scored a late 37 runs from 21 balls, offered any resistance as the Originals were eventually bowled out for 92.
Explosive Start: Invincibles’ Opening Blitz Sets Stage for Record Chase
The customary fiery introduction of The Hundred was overshadowed by the early fireworks on the pitch from Invincibles’ openers, Roy and Will Jacks. Jacks had a sensational start, hitting a six-over cover and another powerful shot that scattered the crowd, scoring 52 runs in the powerplay. However, when he departed for 32 off 13 balls, Klaasen took charge.
Klaasen displayed his intent with a massive early six off Paul Walter, and although he just missed clearing the ground with a second one, he continued to dominate. He hit a total of five sixes to reach his fifty in just 23 balls, followed by a sixth before Josh Little halted his onslaught.
At that point, Invincibles were on track to challenge the highest-ever Hundred score of 208 for 5 set by the Originals in the previous season, but they couldn’t maintain the momentum towards the end of their innings.
Buttler’s Brilliance Fades, Overton’s Heroics Save Originals
Roy, who survived a close lbw call with a successful review on 23, played a relatively calmer but effective half-century, scoring 50 runs from 34 balls. However, he became one of the two victims for Overton in the pace bowler’s final set, as the hosts reached a total of 186 runs.
In the chase, Jos Buttler showcased his signature scoop for a six in the early stages, but Johnson applied pressure on his competition debut, conceding just one run from 10 balls. This slow start forced Phil Salt to take nine balls to get off the mark, and the pressure eventually led to his dismissal as he skied one from Gus Atkinson, caught by Nathan Sowter in the deep.
The powerplay yielded only 19 runs, and despite Buttler surviving a close run-out appeal, the required run rate continued to climb. Narine’s clever spin removed Laurie Evans and Max Holden in the same set, with the latter registering a duck for the second consecutive game, falling victim to a well-timed catch by the standout player of the match, Klaasen.
Nathan Sowter caught Buttler deep mid-on after he had managed only a run per ball. With Buttler’s departure, the Originals’ chances all but vanished. Walter followed suit just two balls later, and it was only thanks to Overton’s late boundaries that the Originals avoided a more significant defeat.
