The two-in-a-row champions Oval Invincibles gave a strong statement in their first game of The Hundred 2025 by stumbling London Spirits at 80 and chasing the total with 31 balls to spare.
Sam Billings’ Oval Invincibles opened their 2025 Hundred campaign with a commanding win over Kane Williamson’s London Spirit, securing victory by 6 wickets and 31 balls to spare at The Oval.
The defending champions, powered by a clinical performance from Rashid Khan and Sam Curran, bowled out London Spirit for just 80 runs in the 100-ball contest. The devastating spin-pace duo shared six wickets, with Rashid delivering figures of 3 for 11 and Curran backing him up with 3 for 18.
London Spirit’s innings never found momentum. Only Ashton Turner managed to put up any resistance with a 14-ball 21, while the rest of the batting lineup failed to reach double digits. Spirit’s debutant Jason Behrendorff made an early breakthrough, dismissing skipper Kane Williamson for 9.
Chasing a modest total, Invincibles’ openers Will Jacks and Tawanda Muyeye gave the team a steady start. Liam Dawson momentarily revived London Spirit’s hopes with two key wickets, removing both openers. However, Sam Curran’s three boundaries and a finishing six from Donovan Ferreira—ironically the only six of the match—sealed the win emphatically.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo after the match, Rashid Khan reflected on his bowling:
“It was a good surface. Spin was there, but the length you bowled was really important today. I just focused on hitting the right areas and maintaining line and length. It went really well.”
With a dominant performance in their opening game, Oval Invincibles look well-placed to defend their title in the fifth edition of The Hundred 2025. They next face Manchester Originals on Saturday, August 9.
Meanwhile, London Spirit will aim for a stronger showing in their upcoming clash against Welsh Fire, also scheduled for Saturday.