1:38 AM IST, 9:08 PM local time: Oval Invincibles bounce back from a rare loss in the previous match to thrash London Spirit. With this victory, they have all but confirmed a berth in the finale! That means, they are virtually one win away from making it a hat-trick of titles.
The fact that we can — despite this clinical victory — say that they weren't at their dominant best, is a testimony to their imperiousness throughout the season. And yet again, there were multiple blokes who contributed to the win. Let's start with the most understated one — Nathan Sowter.
Remember, Jamie Smith played a firecracker of an innings at the top — sparkling but short-lived. Towards the end of Spirit's innings, Jamie Overton and Ryan Higgins provided effervescence. But it was in between those that Invincibles pulled things back. And that is where Sowter's spell of leg spin was crucial. He exhibited good control and delivered four tidy sets while also dismissing Williamson and Turner.
Then, of course, Will Jacks. Losing his opening partner for a golden duck did not dampen the right-hander's spirit. His shot-making was authoritative and exuberant, laying the solid foundation for the run chase. Jordan Cox, then, even bettered him. The number-3's domineering knock only came to an end because he tried to fancy a shot against a pretty straight ball.
Plus, there were some smaller contributions — Sam Curran's cameo with the bat, Tom Curran's bowling, and obviously, the overall fielding of the team. We saw some splendid catches even today — including Jacks' jaw-dropping one-hander to dismiss Pope. All in all, OI look a well-oiled machine heading towards the final.
Meanwhile for Spirit, this marks the end of a pretty ordinary season. Apart from the three aforementioned cameos, Dawson's neat bowling was the only positive tonight. Maybe add Ollie Pope's stunning catch to dismiss Jacks (revenge, huh?) if you want to stretch it.