OVI VS TRT T100

Season number 5 of The Hundred comes to a close! While it was a bit surprising to see Northern Superchargers win the Women's title after seeing Southern Brave seep through the league stage without a single loss, there was no such surprise in the Men's edition. The Oval Invincibles were always the favourites heading into the encounter and the injuries to the Trent Rockets just kept strengthening that feeling. However, despite those injuries, it has been a fantastic season for The Rockets to finish in second place and they will aim to go one step higher next season. As far as the Invincibles are concerned, they are playing like their name suggests, isn't it - being invincible? With 3 in succession, and a strong core group, they will be aiming for a 4-peat now. But we will have to wait for a year to see if that happens. As of now, the 5th edition has come to a close and we thank you for being with us throughout our coverage, hoping that you enjoyed the same. Until next time, ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious skipper of Oval Invincibles, SAM BILLINGS, calls this an incredible feeling (of winning 3 titles on the trot). Calls this a very very special group. Details that the management has tried to maintain the core of the group and this year, the team dominated and kept the foot down. Adds that a lot goes behind the scenes and gives a big shout out to the support staff. On asked about the key players during this campaign, Billings points to Nathan Sowter, who has been with the group right from the start. Calls him an energy hub on the field and says that he has been fantastic for the side and to get a Player Of The Match award in the final is great. But overall, Sam says that everyone has been fantastic and contributed to this title. On others in the squad, SB agrees that you don't have to be on the field to contribute. Believes that the entire squad has chipped in and he is proud of all of them. On his relationship with coach TOM MOODY, Sam Billings says that he has learnt a huge amount off Moody in the last 5 years and adds that Moody has built a solid environment in the dressing room. Details that the way Moody controls the room and keeps everyone on his toes and striving to give his best, very few coaches can do that. Gives a huge vote of thanks to Moody.

Oval Invincibles' NATHAN SOWTER is the PLAYER OF THE FINAL for his spectacular 3/25 off 20 balls. He says to play in this competition and for this team is huge and credits the team for giving him so many opportunities. Shares that he was given the reins to lead the spin attack in the last few games. About their coach, Tom Moody, Sowter mentions that he has been very clear with him and he has done exactly what he was asked to do. Adds that everyone in the team has come together well from far and wide and they are having fun together. Ends by saying that it feels incredible to be a part of such a strong side.

Oval Invincibles' JORDAN COX has been adjudged the PLAYER OF THE YEAR, for being the leading run getter of this competition, with 367 runs at a strike rate of 173.93 and an average of 61.16, which included 3 half centuries. On his success, Cox says that he was just having a bit of fun, nothing else. Details that his team is strong and it is all about enjoying yourself. On his partnership with Will Jacks, Jordan says that the Invincibles have an amazing batting lineup. Points out that someone like Donovan Ferreira faced just 40 balls through the season (well, it's actually 77), which shows how deep the lineup bats. On his feelings, JC says that he is happy but playing for the country would be the most satisfying thing. Ends by saying that he just tries to make sure that he keeps banging on that door of the selectors.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Eoin Morgan is with the Curran brothers. Tom starts by saying that to win a tournament as hard as The Hundred, including top quality players is a huge achievement. Adds they set out to achieve something special as a group and to win three titles on the bounce is unbelievable. Isn't sure whether they will be staying together for the next season, and highlights that they have put a strong effort as the squad. Sam chimes in and says they have been together since the inception of the franchise. On being asked about who is organising the party, Sam points it to Tom and says that TC will be doing the honors and says it is going to be a great night.

As in the first innings, the new ball was supposed to be the key in the run chase as well. Contrary to The Invincibles, The Rockets adopted a cautious approach and managed just 32 runs in the Powerplay, albeit without losing a wicket. However, that slow start dented them and once the first wicket fell, of Joe Root, they just kept getting pegged back. Marcus Stoinis was the only one who played an innings of substance, with a fine 64 (38) but he lacked partners at the other end. The Invincibles were simply superb with the ball, as when not taking wickets, they kept on building the dots. Nathan Sowter was the pick of the bowlers striking three times in his first 7 balls, but everyone bowled well.

Irrespective of that no ball call, Trent Rockets struggled to maintain consistency with the ball. They have been dealt with several injuries throughout the tournament and just coming into this final alone, they lost two players before the match and one bowler during the match. Still, they managed to bounce back nicely towards the end, conceding just 25 runs in the last 4 sets. But the damage was already done by Jacks, thanks to a blistering 72 (41). He formed a decent stand of 87 with Jordan Cox for the second wicket and The Rockets just could not get through.

The new ball was always going to be the key and Will Jacks wasted no time in hammering the leather of it. The Invincibles got to 43/1 at the end of the Powerplay, the highest in any Men's final of The Hundred. And if the fielding restrictions being lifted and ball getting older felt like a relief for The Rockets, they were proved wrong as Jacks continued to rub salt over their wounds. That wound came on ball 44. Will Jacks was on 28 and he pulled a full toss towards deep mid-wicket. It was ruled a no ball for height. That call will come under the scanner as the side-on replay seemed to indicate that it was dipping. At that stage, The Invincibles were 67/1. They ended up hammering 101 in the next 56 balls. Wonder what might have happened had that ball been called legal.

The tradition is maintained. The highest target chased down successfully in the final of The Men's Hundred was 121, in the second season, in 2022, by Trent Rockets themselves. But a bigger stat - 4 of the 5 finals, including the one here, have been won by the side batting first. The pitch was expected to be slow given how the Women's final progressed and perhaps, the toss was the key in this final. HATTRICK OF TITLES FOR OVAL INVINCIBLES! A 3-peat!

OUT! LBW! It did not look out to the naked eye but no one is bothered. Stoinis himself is not too keen to review it as even if he did and got it overturned, it would have still been a dot ball. Full and straight, Stoinis walked across his sticks and looked to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. Might have gone down the leg side but the final verdict is - OVAL INVINCIBLES WIN BY 26 RUNS!

OUT! LBW! It did not look out to the naked eye but no one is bothered. Stoinis himself is not too keen to review it as even if he did and got it overturned, it would have still been a dot ball. Full and straight, Stoinis walked across his sticks and looked to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. Might have gone down the leg side but the final verdict is - OVAL INVINCIBLES WIN BY 26 RUNS!

A wide yorker, outside off, Stoinis bends down to carve it out but misses. The final ball of the competition coming up!

SIX! Free swing of the arms. Full, on middle and leg, Marcus Stoinis whips it cleanly over mid-wicket and the ball goes well beyond the ropes.

An attempted yorker, on middle, Marcus Stoinis whips it across and along the ground to deep mid-wicket. Does not run.

Ben Cox walks in next, at number 9, replacing Sam Hain.

OUT! SAM HAIN IS RUN OUT! Full, around middle and off, Marcus Stoinis gets across and swings it towards mid on. He initially calls for the single and accordingly Sam Hain responds but then Stoinis sends his partner back, leaving him no room for mercy. Tom Curran fields the ball at mid on and returns a simple throw to the bowler who does the rest. 1 (3) for Hain and Trent Rockets are 136/7. 4 balls left.

OUT! SAM HAIN IS RUN OUT! Full, around middle and off, Marcus Stoinis gets across and swings it towards mid on. He initially calls for the single and accordingly Sam Hain responds but then Stoinis sends his partner back, leaving him no room for mercy. Tom Curran fields the ball at mid on and returns a simple throw to the bowler who does the rest. 1 (3) for Hain and Trent Rockets are 136/7. 4 balls left.