Can any team break Oval Invincibles’ dominance?

The Oval Invincibles are showing once again why they are the most formidable side in The Hundred, and Thursday night’s performance against the Trent Rockets only reinforced that claim. Chasing 172 at The Oval, they chased the target down within just 89 balls, leaving their competitors dazed and all but wrapped up a knockout spot. With only one more win needed from two group games, the Invincibles are sailing to a direct place in the final at Lord’s next Sunday – and a chance at a third title in succession.

Two amazing innings defined the game. Sam Curran smashed a phenomenal 52 off 24 balls, including six sixes from just eight balls, while Jordan Cox settled the chase with a stylish but destructive knock of 58 not out off 32. At one point, the Invincibles needed 102 from 40 balls but only needed 29 to chase down their target. Curran, also slow to start with just 7 from 12 balls, went into overdrive and, after his innings, declared he had “six or out”. After a quiet beginning of the innings, his excellence lit up The Oval with cavalier hitting.

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Consistency and smart planning keep Oval Invincibles winning

Even after Curran went, Cox took no time wasting. For a short while, Cox was paired with Donovan Ferreira, who cleared the ropes twice in as many balls, until Cox brought the game to a close by hitting back-to-back boundaries, which saw the home support all roar, once again. That was a huge statement win. It even had Joe Root, who scored 76 off 41 for the Rockets, admit that the Invincibles “were the better team,”. So how do the Invincibles keep on winning? It comes down to continuity and planning. For many franchises, they had a core group of players from the inception of the competition. Will Jacks, Sam and Tom Curran, Sam Billings, and Cox have provided continuity, while clever overseas signings such as Rashid Khan and Jason Behrendorff have slotted in without hesitation. 

Their record does the talking: in three seasons they have 19 wins exit and of course, only 4 losses. In a league that has been designed for parity, this is a truly astonishing feat for the Invincibles, who manage to constantly be ahead in any criteria other than talent. That is to say, figuring out roles within the style of play, clarifying roles, and trusting the vision that has been developed. But the Invincibles are also clear about not getting carried away with the “three-peat” talk. Curran has said they are taking it “one game at a time” and understands how dangerous complacency can be. But the start of the question still remains across The Hundred