The Hundred: Curran & Cox star as Invincibles beat Brave

BBC News

17 hours ago

Update:
Date: 21:30 BST 18 August
Title: Goodbye
Content: We've had two games at Southampton today where teams moved clear at the top of the table and showed why they're the team to beat in their respective competitions.
Unbeaten Southern Brave beat Oval Invincibles by a record 89 runs in the women's competition, but the London franchise got their revenge in the men's game.
A seven-wicket win sets the back-to-back champions at a tilt at three in a row - take a read of Matthew Henry's report to see how they dominated this encounter.
We'll be back tomorrow for a double-header between Trent Rockets and Manchester Originals - the women's game starts at 15:00 BST, while the men's match begins at 18:30.
You will be able to watch both games lives on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, while you can also follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
See you then!
Update:
Date: 21:28 BST 18 August
Title: 'It's special being out there in the middle with Cox'
Content: Oval Invincibles all-rounder Sam Curran: "A really big win. I think with the way the table is placed at the moment we knew it was such a big game. They are such a great team and thankfully we got another win on the board."
On taking three wickets and racking up 50 runs: "I'm really enjoying it out there and I'm playing with a really good bunch of guys and staff. I've said it before but we have been together for a while, so it's kind of like turning up to work and playing with your mates. Fingers crossed we can keep this momentum. There's still a long way to go but the boys are really happy."
On Jordan Cox's form: "It is special being out there in the middle with him. He is playing really well and striking the ball so cleanly. He was suffering from a bit of cramp there as well. From ball one you could tell he was on form, with the way he was timing it down the ground and hitting everywhere. He is a nice partner to have and he helped to take the pressure off early."
On sitting at the top of the table: "There's not really too much focus on the table. We know if we keep focusing on ourselves and our strengths, then we will be fine. It is always nice when you're winning, especially when the games come thick and fast."
Update:
Date: 21:24 BST 18 August
Title: How's stat?!
Content: Kieran ParmleyCricviz analyst
Only Sai Sudharsan (49.8 average in the IPL) has batted as frequently as Jordan Cox in a major T20 domestic league with a higher average than Cox's 48.1.
Update:
Date: 21:21 BST 18 August
Title: Post
Content: Oval Invincibles were already top courtesy of net run-rate, but they now go clear of Trent Rockets and Northern Superchargers with their fourth win from five.
Southern Brave might have some hope having had them 18-2 after 17 balls, but a superb 101-run partnership from Jordan Cox and Sam Curran took Invincibles most of the way to victory.
The home side remain in fifth with two wins and three defeats.
Full table
Update:
Date: 21:16 BST 18 August
Title: How's stat?!
Content: Kieran ParmleyCricviz analyst
Sam Billings has finished not out in six successful run chases in the men's Hundred, the joint most for a player alongside Liam Livingstone.
Update:
Date: 21:16 BST 18 August
Title: Post
Content: Deep DasguptaFormer India wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Oval Invincibles absolutely look the team to beat.
Another really good run chase, this is their fourth successful run chase out of five. They had to bat a little bit differently to what they're used to tonight, but that's skill and experience for you. The batting conditions were harder and the bowling unit was better but they still had it in them.
A top effort from Sam Curran as well, staying unbeaten on 50 runs. A lot of credit to Jordan Cox for his innings as well, their partnership set things up nicely for Oval Invincibles.
Update:
Date: 11 balls left
Title: Invincibles win by seven wickets
Content: Invincibles 134-3
Game won, fifty up - job done for Sam Curran.
He pushes Jordan Thompson out to the deep cover fielder and runs the two required to bring up the landmarks.
His 50 comes off 32 deliveries, the win with 11 balls to spare - a very good night for the all-rounder.
Update:
Date: 12 balls left
Title: Invincibles 132-3
Content: 2 runs needed
A third four for Sam Billings, striking Jordan Thompson's second delivery through mid-wicket after not making contact with his first.
He then takes a single off a push, with Jordan Thompson missing the stumps with a kicked attempt to run out the visiting skipper.
Two runs needed for both the win and Sam Curran's fifty.
Update:
Date: 21:13 BST 18 August
Title: Post
Content: Deep DasguptaFormer India wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Tymal Mills has had an off-day. Southern Brave needed him to fire tonight, especially because they are trying to defend a below-par score. It hasn't been a good day at the office.
Update:
Date: 15 balls left
Title: Invincibles 127-3
Content: 7 runs needed
Invincibles captain Sam Billings comes in to try and finish the job.
He gets four off his legs from his second ball, sending the ball through backward square, then edges Mills' last ball through an empty cordon.
Required runs in single figures now, Mills has gone for 1-37 from 15 balls and I'm not sure we'll have time to see him again...
Update:
Date: 21:08 BST 18 August
Title: Post
Content: Deep DasguptaFormer India wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
What a catch! That went so quickly to Hilton Cartwright but maybe the reason he even caught it at all was because it went straight at him.
Jordan Cox timed it beautifully, it came straight out of the middle, and even he couldn't believe it had been caught. One foot to the left or to the right and there is no chance he's getting a hand to that!
Update:
Date: 19 balls left
Title: WICKET
Content: Cox c Cartwright b Mills 56 (Invincibles 119-3)
But now the 101 run partnership comes to an end!
Jordan Cox won't finish not out in consecutive matches, he smashes Tymal Mills' first ball straight to Hilton Cartwright at cover.
That absolutely flew at Cartwright, even if he didn't have to move.
Update:
Date: 21:06 BST 18 August
Title: Post
Content: Deep DasguptaFormer India wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
These last 15 runs are going to come quickly now that Jofra Archer and Craig Overton have finished their sets.
Update:
Date: 20 balls left
Title: Invincibles 119-2
Content: 15 runs needed
Back comes Jordan Thompson and Sam Curran guides his second delivery neatly through third for four with a late shot.
Jordan Cox then smacks the penultimate delivery of the set through mid-wicket for a boundary of his own, bringing up the hundred partnership off 62 balls.
Update:
Date: 21:03 BST 18 August
Title: Post
Content: Deep DasguptaFormer India wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Oval Invincibles could do this in singles but, after seeing through Jofra Archer's set, they might want to see if they can do it with seven or eight balls in hand.
They definitely don't want to take it to the last set because then eight wickets in hand doesn't matter.
Update:
Date: 25 balls left
Title: Invincibles 108-2
Content: 26 runs needed
A Sam Curran single down to third ends Jofra Archer's evening.
The seamer finishes with figures of 0-19 from his 20 balls.
Update:
Date: 21:03 BST 18 August
Title: Post
Content: Deep DasguptaFormer India wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Another good knock from Jordan Cox. This is very different from the knock that he played out the other night, he is playing a lot more within himself and a lot more controlled.
This current partnership is worth 90, so they are doing so well chasing down this total. This could've been a very tricky run chase.
Update:
Date: 26 balls left
Title: 50 for Jordan Cox
Content: Invincibles 107-2
Consecutive fifties for Jordan Cox!
He awkwardly jams Jofra Archer's penultimate delivery into the leg side and there's a bit of a scramble by the fielder as Cox hurries through a single.
It comes from 33 balls - he had to wait a little while after reaching 48 from 26.
Update:
Date: 20:58 BST 18 August
Title: Post
Content: Deep DasguptaFormer India wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Jofra Archer is back to bowl his last set. If he manages to pick up a couple of wickets in this set, things could look a bit different!
A lot of credit has to be handed to Jordan Cox and Sam Curran. They have managed and shepherded this run chase well. They have been really smart in picking out the bowlers they want to attack.
Update:
Date: 20:58 BST 18 August
Title: Post
Content: Nicole HarveyFormer Welsh Fire player on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
James Coles' quicker ball is rushing the batters here because his run up doesn't really look too different. He isn't turning the ball massively but he is changing up his pace, flight and trajectory really well.
But both Oval Invincibles batters look like they are in fine form - I hope these last 30 balls are entertaining!