The Oval Invincibles secured their third win out of four in The Hundred this season, with Sam Curran's exceptional all-round performance proving decisive in their 30-run victory over London Spirit.
Curran played a pivotal role, scoring an explosive 51 off just 22 balls to lift the Invincibles to a competitive total on a challenging pitch, before dismantling the Spirit's chase with an extraordinary five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick.
At Lord's, where the pitch offered some lateral movement, Invincibles' captain Sam Billings opted to bat first. The Spirit's bowlers capitalised on the conditions, reducing the visitors to 46 for 2 by the halfway mark. Olly Stone bowled Will Jacks and Liam Dawson dismissed Jordan Cox, recently called up to the England Test squad.
Dawid Malan and Billings then attempted to accelerate the scoring, but Malan was caught on the square-leg boundary off Matt Critchley for 38 from 29 balls. Billings struggled to find rhythm and retired himself out in favour of Donovan Ferreira. It was Curran who changed the momentum, reaching his half-century in just 21 deliveries, including three consecutive sixes off Nathan Ellis. His knock propelled the Invincibles to a solid total of 147 for 5.
In reply, the Spirit began well, with Keaton Jennings and Michael Pepper taking them to 35 without loss during the power play. However, the Invincibles' spinners soon tightened their grip, removing both openers and Ollie Pope in quick succession. Jacks trapped Jennings lbw, Adam Zampa had Pepper caught with his first delivery, and Nathan Sowter bowled Pope with a leg break.
Dan Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer attempted to revive the Spirit's innings, and with 56 needed from the final 30 balls, the match was finely poised. But Zampa, who finished with figures of 3 for 22, dismissed Hetmyer (20 from 21) and Lawrence (27 from 18), leaving the Spirit in trouble.
Andre Russell tried to power the Spirit home, but Curran ensured the Invincibles' victory by taking a hat-trick, only the third in the history of The Hundred men's competition. This outstanding individual performance sealed the win for the Invincibles.
Reflecting on his performance, Meerkat Match Hero Sam Curran said he had faced many battles with Russell over the years. He mentioned that the hat-trick ball wasn't on his mind, and it was a matter of either getting Russell out or being hit for six. Fortunately, he got the edge, and the win was secured. Curran also highlighted the relief felt after dismissing dangerous players like Lawrence, Hetmyer, and Russell.