Match 2, Southampton, July 24, 2024, 11:00 PM
London Spirit
138/9(20.0ov)
Southern Brave
139/3(17.4ov)
Southern Brave beat London Spirit by 7 wickets
Right then, that is it from Match number 2 of The Hundred Men's Competition, 2024. Southern Brave have outclassed the London Spirit by a convincing margin. They initiate their campaign with a win. London Spirit, on the other hand, couldn't match their opposition and would like to go back to the drawing board to analyze where things went wrong. Well, the action has just started to heat up in the competition and up next is another exciting clash between two formidable units at the iconic Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The Welsh Fire will go up against the Manchester Originals on Thursday 25th July. The first ball will be bowled at 11 pm IST (1730 GMT). But you can surely join us a bit more early for the pre-match build-up. Until then, take care, cheers!
Craig Overton is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant bowling figures that reads 20-8-16-3. He says that the surface was good and the new ball was coming out good of the hand. Adds that the bowlers have got a bit of pace and that turned out to be the difference at the end. Says that they will look to build upon this winning start and look to do well in the next games as well.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
Earlier in the game, London Spirit decided to bat first on what looked like a pitch made for runs. They started off a bit cautiously, with both teams trying to get the upper hand. But then things went south for Spirit pretty quickly. They lost their top order in a flash, and boy, did they need someone to step up and steady the ship. Unfortunately for them, that didn't happen. Wickets kept tumbling, with Jordan and Overton having a field day, snagging three wickets each. Just when it looked like a total disaster, Dan Lawrence and Liam Dawson showed up at the end with some useful runs. They managed to breathe a bit of life into what was looking like a pretty sorry innings.
The London Spirit were desperate for early wickets to defend their so-so total, but they just couldn't make it happen. They threw everything but the kitchen sink at Southern Brave, using as many as seven bowlers, but the runs kept flowing and wickets remained deserted for the majority of the inning. Ravi Bopara finally managed to get a wicket, but by then Hughes and Vince had already put the game out of their reach. They did get a couple of more wickets moving forward, but, it was always a case of too little, too late for the London Spirit.
Into the chase, the two openers of Southern Brave came out all guns blazing playing risk-free cricket. Daniel Hughes, signed in for Finn Allen as an opener, was very productive down the ground, in the 'V' to be precise in cricketing terms. He provided a good responsible hand to his skipper James Vince who equally played percentage cricket. The two never looked bothered and kept playing their strokes fluently, and the scorecard moved swiftly with no trouble whatsoever. The solid foundation laid by the two openers made it easier for Leus du Plooy, who comfortably guided them to victory in the end.
The Southern Brave, the 2021 champions start their 2024 campaign with a bang. They register their first win and better their record against the London Spirit. It was mostly one-way traffic until Nathan Ellis put up some resistance. However, the London Spirit have a plenty to reflect on. A set of contrasting halves in this game. London Spirit struggled for most of the part while batting, but it seemed like the track got better and better as the game progressed into the second innings. Also, a point to note, Southern Brave strode out without three of their key players, and their reinforcement will only bolster both their departments. Also, it was too overcast and freezing out there at Utilita Bowl, Southampton.
In over# 18
1
6
0
0
Andre Russell 13/0(1.4)
89
1
That's a wrap as Leus du Plooy tucks this away for one. Southern Brave starts their campaign with a victory by 7 wickets.
88
6
SIX! GO FETCH THAT, says Leus du Plooy. Short-pitched around off, Leus du Plooy jumps out of his crease and whips this over cover for six runs.
87
.
Short-pitched going across the batter, Leus du Plooy swings for all money and gets beaten.
86
.
OUCH! Leus du Plooy is getting peppered with some short-pitched stuff. Short-pitched, body bound, Leus du Plooy looks for the pull and gets beaten as the ball skids quickly, and springs off the deck with an extra bounce. Gets a body blow though. Those sting a lot!
In over# 17
0
2
0
1
1
Nathan Ellis 23/1(4)
85
.
Wide yorker outside off, Leus du Plooy looks to guide this through third man region but gets beaten.
84
2
Short-pitched on leg, Leus du Plooy pulls this towards deep square for a couple this time.
83
.
Good length on off, Leus du Plooy punches this towards extra cover for no run.
82
1
Back of a length around leg, Laurie Evans slaps this towards deep square for one.
81
1
Another back-of-the-hand slower one. Leus du Plooy punches this to the right of mid off and takes one.
Ellis makes a late impact in the game as it is too little, too late, most probably for the Spirit. With 11 needed off 20 balls, Laurie Evans comes in at number 5.
In over# 16
0W
0
0
1lb
4
Nathan Ellis 18/1(3)
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